Experimental study of the T-criterion in ductile fractures

Abstract

In the present paper, the newly introduced T-criterion was applied in the case of the fracture of a ductile material. Polycarbonate of Bisphenol A (PCBA) specimens containing slant internal cracks were tested and the experimentally obtained angles of crack propagation, as well as the respective fracture loads were compared to corresponding predictions of the T-criterion. It was found out that the predicted and measured quantities are in good agreement, especially in cases where existing other fracture criteria fail. The prediction of the T-criterion, that for small angles of crack inclination there must be angles of propagation absolutely larger than 90°. was clearly verified. Also, the fracture load measured, for each of the same small angles of inclination, was more than three times lower, as compared to the values given by other criteria in use, and in excellent agreement with T-criterion predictions.