Pressure Effects and Fracture of a Rubbery Particulate Composite
Abstract
Rubbery particulate composites used in the aerospace industry consist of a rubbery matrix with a large volume fraction of embedded rigid particles and are subjected both to long term and short term loads. Cracks may form in these composites during either storage or transport and cause catastrophic failure of the component. If we can better predict the fracture of these composites, expensive components with questionable cracks may be usable, resulting in substantial cost savings. This work studies the pressure effect on a particulate composite used in aerospace applications. We tested the composite for fracture properties in a pressure chamber and investigated the initiation of crack growth and the growth rate. Various crack geometries, crack sizes, specimen geometries, and specimen thicknesses are considered. The results show that pressure elevates the fracture toughness at Initiation of crack growth. Subsequent growth conforms to a power law relationship between the growth rate and the stress intensity factor. The results are consistent with previously developed results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381384
Entities
People
- Chun Ting Liu
- Timothy C. Miller
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory