skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Acid aging behavior of polycarbonates for flame retardant plastic containers for central office and ups* lead-acid batteries

Conference · · INTELEC, Int. Telecommun. Energy Conf. (Proc.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5654777

In these studies, the degradation of polycarbonates in battery acid was assessed by monitoring changes in impact resistance and melt flow rate. The effects of stress were investigated. Rates of hydrolysis were obtained from the rates of change in melt viscosity and allow estimation of service life at room conditions. These studies have shown that hydrolytic degradation of polycarbonates in battery acid results in severe reductions in strength and impact properties. These results provide a mechanistic explanation of premature stress crack failures observed in covers of polycarbonate battery containers in telephone central office reserve power usage. Potential implications of these results on the design, life and reliability of polycarbonate jars and covers for UPS and central office stationary reserve batteries are discussed.

Research Organization:
Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ
OSTI ID:
5654777
Report Number(s):
CONF-831010-
Journal Information:
INTELEC, Int. Telecommun. Energy Conf. (Proc.); (United States), Conference: International telecommunications energy conference, Tokyo, Japan, 18 Oct 1983
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English