ASTM F1473 Standard Test Method for Notch Tensile Test to Measure the Resistance to Slow Crack Growth of Polyethylene Pipes and Resins, 

scope:

This test method determines the resistance of polyethylene materials to slow crack growth under conditions specified within.

NOTE 1-This test method is known as PENT (Pennsylvania Notch Test) test.

The standard test is performed at 80 °C and at 2.4 MPa, but it shall be acceptable to conduct tests at a temperature below 80 °C and with other stresses low enough to preclude ductile failure and thereby eventually induce brittle type of failure. The standard test is conducted in an air environment; however, it shall be acceptable to immerse test specimens in an alternate environment such as water or a water/detergent solution, or other liquid or a different environment such as an inert gas to evaluate slow crack growth performance in different environments. Generally, polyethylenes will ultimately fail in a brittle manner by slow crack growth at 80 °C if the stress is at or below 2.4 MPa

NOTE 2-When testing in environments other than air, it is recommended to consider maintaining the efficacy of the test media (for example, a detergent solution) to minimize any effect of aging.

The test method is for specimens cut from compression molded plaques.