The Tensile Strength of Benzene

Abstract

Measurements were made of the tensile strength of benzene, by the centrifuge method. The method is described, together with various features which have been incorporated into the procedure to insure uniformity of samples. There is evidence, which is not conclusive however, that the rupture strength increases as the amount of permanent gas dissolved in the liquid decreases. At any given permanent gas pressure in equilibrium with the liquid our results are highly variable. Although further confirmation is needed, it appears that the variability is a result of differing histories of our tubes and not of lack of uniformity of our benzene samples. Exposure of the glass surface to the atmosphere appears to decrease the tensile strength. Our highest observed rupture strength, 157 atmospheres, is believed to represent the adhesion strength of the benzene to the walls of a particular tube, and may be much less than the limiting tensile strength of benzene. No evidence for a temperature dependence of the tensile strength has been found, but this result is probably also not representative of the limiting tensile strength of benzene.