Crack Propagation in Polystyrene under Fixed Elongation.

Abstract

Microscopic obsevations of precracked polystyrene samples under fixed elongation conditions reveal that crack propagates discontinuously under diminishing stress to a stable configuration. A zone of intensive crazes in the vicinity of the crack tip evolves currently with crack growth. Fracture occurs as the translation and expansion of the crazed zone ahead of the crack. The phenomenon has been successfully explained using a crack layer model. Contrary to conventional fracture mechanics ideas, crack propagation is found to be controlled by the differnce between the energy dissipated in damage (crazing) growth and the relevant energy release rate. Conditions of stability have been determined in terms of the relationship between these energies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 1983
Accession Number
ADA134749

Entities

People

  • A. Chudnovsky
  • A. Moet
  • E. Baer
  • K. Sehanobish

Organizations

  • Case Western Reserve University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Composite Materials
  • Crack Propagation
  • Crack Tips
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Elongation
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fracture (Mechanics)
  • J Integrals
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Plastics
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Translations
  • Universities

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.