Ford MA-0015 Chemical Compatibility (Stress Crack Test for Plastics)

Developed by Ford Motor Company (Ford), the “Ford MA-0015 Chemical Compatibility (Stress Crack Test for Plastics)” standard is a materials and component testing specification used to evaluate the chemical compatibility of plastic materials and components commonly found in vehicles. This standard focuses on determining whether plastics can withstand exposure to automotive fluids and chemicals without cracking, deformation, discoloration, or loss of mechanical performance. It is often referred to as the “Chemical Compatibility or Stress Crack Test” specification.

Modern vehicles contain numerous plastic parts in their interior, exterior, and under-the-hood applications. These components may come into contact with the following types of substances:

• Fuel
• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Coolants
• Windshield washer fluid
• Cleaning agents
• Sunscreen and cosmetic products
• Adhesives and lubricants

The Ford MA-0015 standard helps ensure that such exposures do not cause premature failure of plastic components.

The primary purpose of this standard is to evaluate a material's resistance to environmental stress cracking when subjected to simultaneous mechanical stress and chemical exposure. Environmental stress cracking is one of the most common causes of failure in automotive plastic parts. This standard assesses whether a material possesses the following properties:

• Formation of cracks or hairline cracks
• Loss of structural integrity
• Change in appearance
• Excessive swelling
• Becoming fragile after chemical exposure

Materials that pass the test demonstrate suitable chemical resistance for automotive service conditions.

The described test method typically includes the following:

• Preparation of molded plastic samples or production parts.
• Applying a controlled mechanical stress or deflection.
• Exposure of the stressed sample to the specified chemicals.
• Sustained exposure for a specific period and temperature.
• After testing, the sample is examined for damage.

The combination of stress and chemical exposure accelerates the failure mechanisms that can occur over years of vehicle use.

Materials typically evaluated under the Ford MA-0015 standard include the following:

• Polycarbonate (PC)
• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
• PC/ABS blends
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyamide (PA)
• Acrylic materials
• Interior upholstery plastics
• Instrument panel components
• Console components
• Door trim pieces
• External plastic components

These materials are particularly susceptible to stress cracking when exposed to incompatible chemicals.

During the evaluation process, engineers look for the following:

• Stress cracking: Visible cracks that form under combined stress and chemical attack.
• Surface cracking: The formation of microscopic surface fractures that can eventually develop into larger cracks.
• Swelling: Absorption of chemicals that cause dimensional changes.
• Surface deterioration: Loss of gloss, whitening, staining, or discoloration.
• Reduced mechanical properties: A decrease in impact resistance or structural performance.

The Ford MA-0015 standard is used in the following situations:

• Material selection
• Supplier qualification test
• Product verification
• Engineering change approval
• Troubleshooting
• Production quality control

This standard helps engineers identify materials that can withstand real-world automotive environments before a vehicle is released to the market.

This standard is closely related to the “Ford FLTM BO 127-03 Stress cracking assessments” standard. Many testing laboratories identify the Ford MA-0015 standard as the Ford chemical compatibility and stress cracking assessment method.

The Ford MA-0015 standard is important because it evaluates the resistance of plastic materials to environmental stress cracking, one of the leading causes of premature failure in automotive plastic components. Many plastics appear durable under normal conditions, but can unexpectedly crack when exposed to certain chemicals under mechanical stress. This standard is important for the following reasons:

• Prevents premature component failure: Vehicle components are routinely exposed to fuels, engine oils, brake fluids, coolants, cleaning products, sunscreens and cosmetics, as well as adhesives and lubricants. These substances can attack plastic materials and cause cracking, breakage, or brittleness. This standard helps identify sensitive materials before they reach the production stage.
• Enhances vehicle durability: Automotive parts must maintain their performance for many years under a variety of environmental conditions. This standard verifies that plastic components, such as instrument panels, center consoles, door panels, exterior moldings, and plastic components under the hood, can withstand chemical exposure without significant degradation throughout the vehicle's lifespan.
• Supports material selection: Modern vehicles use a wide variety of polymers. Different plastics react differently to chemicals. This standard provides engineers with data to select materials that offer the best balance.
  • Chemical resistance
  • Mechanical durability
  • Preserving the appearance
  • Cost effectiveness
• Maintains appearance quality: Many vehicle interior and exterior parts are visible to customers. Chemical attack can cause surface whitening, cracking, discoloration, reduced gloss, and visible cracks. This standard helps ensure that components maintain their original appearance throughout the vehicle's lifespan.
• Simulates real-world conditions: This standard combines mechanical stress or deformation with exposure to automotive chemicals. This combination closely mimics real vehicle operating conditions, making the test more representative than a simple chemical immersion test alone.

In conclusion, the Ford MA-0015 standard helps ensure that automotive plastic components remain durable, safe, and visually acceptable when exposed to chemicals encountered during vehicle use. This standard is a critical chemical compatibility standard used to evaluate the resistance of automotive plastics to environmental stress cracking. This testing method simulates real-world service conditions by exposing materials under stress to automotive chemicals, helping to ensure that vehicle components maintain their appearance, strength, and functionality throughout the vehicle's lifespan. As plastics continue to replace metal components in modern vehicles, this standard remains an important tool for verifying material durability and preventing field failures.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced team, has been understanding the needs of its customers, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services compliant with the Ford MA-0015 standard.