Creep and fatigue behaviors of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Effects of temperature, mean stress, frequency, and processing technique

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a common polymer with many applications in different industries such as piping, bioimplants, and automotive industry. Creep and fatigue behaviors of HDPE under different temperatures, loading conditions, and manufacturing techniques were investigated in this study. Effects of mean stress, frequency, and thickness on fatigue life were also included in the experimental plan. A general fatigue model was used to account for mean stress, temperature, and frequency effects on fatigue life of HDPE. In addition, cyclic tests with hold time stress were conducted to study creep-fatigue interaction behavior at room and elevated temperatures. The experimental results and the analytical models used to account for the aforementioned effects are presented and discussed