Fracture toughness characterization of polymers /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | In recent years, there has been a large increase in the use of plastics in engineering applications. Along with this increased use will almost assuredly come failures. For this reason the ability to correctly characterize the flaw tolerance behavior of polymers has become increasingly important. In this thesis work, the effect of various precracking techniques on the measured value of fracture toughness is examined, and it is demonstrated that alternate methods to fatigue precracking can lead to suitable crack tip conditions. Also, the appropriate size requirements necessary for a valid application of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) are experimentally determined on two polymer systems exhibiting differing degrees of strain softening. An attempt is then made to numerically predict the load-displacement response of single edged notched three point bend (SENB3) specimens on one of these polymer systems using an existing model which accounts for the large inelastic deformation of glassy polymers. The model predictions correlated well for specimen sizes which exhibited a linear elastic response. However, as a greater percentage of the total volume exhibited strains approaching yield, the model was unable to predict the increased nonlinearity in the load-displacement curves. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Interdisciplinary engineering." |
| Physical Description: | xiv, 166 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |