Dynamic fracture toughness index: a new integrated methodology for mode-I fracture behaviour of polymer composite under impact loading

Abstract

In the current work, a new term called dynamic fracture toughness index () for mode-I (crack opening mode) configuration is presented. This index is useful in determining the dynamic fracture toughness under different strain-rate conditions. is evolved based on dimensional analysis of the parameters that govern high strain-rate impact loading conditions and offers an integrated methodology to characterize dynamic fracture behaviour which is validated for particulate polymer composites (PPCs). The validity of the developed methodology is corroborated with the dynamic fracture experimental data for varying volume fraction of glass fibers and as well as predicting the dynamic fracture toughness with limited number of experiments.