Abstract
The critical stress-intensity factor, K Ic , for crack initiation has been determined using many different test geometries for a rubber-toughened epoxy polymer. A main difference between the test geometries is that some employ a through-thickness crack whilst others contain an embedded surface crack. A detailed study of the applicability of linear-elastic fracture-mechanics ( lefm) has been conducted and, when only valid lefm results are considered, it has been shown that the values of K Ic are independent of test geometry. Thus, the results from a through-thickness crack are the same as those obtained from a surface crack. Further, the particular aspect of slow crack growth on the determination of K Ic is considered in detail.
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