Stress-induced chemiluminescence instrument for the study of oxidation of polymers subjected to stress

An instrument for measuring stress-activated oxidative degradation in polym ers is presented. The instrument is based on the chemiluminescence techniqu e using a photo multiplier system to detect photons produced during oxidati on or, when measuring in an inert atmosphere, the decomposition of accumula ted hydroperoxides, The strain is applied by an Instron tensile testing mac hine which has been fitted with a light-tight chamber. The temperature and atmosphere surrounding the test specimen are controlled by a small environm ental chamber. The oxidation of PA66 during tensile testing has been chosen to demonstrate the instrument. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.