In this work a method is presented that can be used to predict craze initiation in glassy polymers. The approach is based on the view that the development of a craze is preceded by de formation of a localised plastic deformation zone. As this zone develops, the hydrostatic stress increases, and, when exceeding a critical stress level, cavitation will take place, leading to local development of ...

We show how changes in a local, high frequency dynamic process are correlated with the macroscopic behavior of glassy polymers. Polyvinylethylenes vitrified by different chemical and thermodynamic pathways exhibit different densities in the glassy state. We find that the rate and amplitude of a high frequency relaxation mode (the Johari-Goldstein process involving local motion of segments of th...

We have applied in situ FTIR, ATR-IR and photoacoustic spectroscopy to identify for the first time specific molecular interactions between CO2 and polymers that may be responsible for the plasticization of glassy polymers. The changes in IR spectra of CO2 incorporated into various polymers indicate a specific interaction between CO2 and polymer functional groups. Increased polymer segmental mob...