Abstract
Applicability of different fracture mechanics concepts, including linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), equivalent energy concept, and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM), to assessing the temperature-dependent fracture behavior was compared using examples of an unoriented and a cold-rolled polypropylene under quasistatic and under dynamic loading. Under quasistatic loading, the fracture toughness values were determined from the recorded load versus load-line displacement curves on compact tension (CT) specimens. Fracture toughness values under dynamic loading were determined from the recorded load versus deflection curves on single edge-notched bend (SENB) specimens. In spite of its simplicity as an engineering design parameter, on the basis of the LEFM concept, the stress intensity factor K can only be validly used in a limited temperature range. Instead, the EPFM parameters (i.e., the J integral and the crack opening displacement (COD) concepts) can be applied over a wider temperature range. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1237–1249, 1997
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