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A mechanism of crack branching in polymethyl methacrylate and the origin of the bands on the surfaces of fracture

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Abstract

At low crack velocities the fracture of high molecular weight polymethyl methacrylate occurs by the separation of a thin craze layer ahead of, and coplanar with, the propagating crack tip. Above some critical velocity, about 400 m sec−1 at room temperature, craze branching or bifurcation is initiated. The craze branching does not cause any detectable surface roughening of the fracture surface until the crack tip stress is sufficient to initiate cracks in the craze branches. At this stage the formation of the branching craze-cracks causes surface roughening (bands or striations), a deceleration of the main fracture and a drop in the stress amplitude around the crack tip which is below that necessary to initiate branching crazes. The fracture then reverts back to the simpler mechanism, with no surface roughening. The repetition of this process gives rise to the banded appearance of the fracture surface.

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Author notes

  1. Michael J. Doyle

    Present address: Elastomers Technology Division, Exxon Chemical Company, P.O. Box 45, 07036, Linden, NJ, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 15261, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Michael J. Doyle

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  1. Michael J. Doyle
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Doyle, M.J. A mechanism of crack branching in polymethyl methacrylate and the origin of the bands on the surfaces of fracture. J Mater Sci 18, 687–702 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00745566

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00745566

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