STUDY OF RUBBER-MODIFIED BRITTLE EPOXY SYSTEMS .1. FRACTURE-TOUGHNESS MEASUREMENTS USING THE DOUBLE-NOTCH 4-POINT-BEND METHOD uri icon

abstract

  • The doublenotch fourpointbend (DN4PB) technique is known to produce fruitful information revealing the toughening mechanisms around the subcritically propagated crack tip. In this study, correlations among the singleedgenotch threepointbend (SEN3PB), the singleedgenotch fourpointbend (SEN4PB), and the DN4PB toughness measurement techniques have been conducted using various modifiedepoxy systems. The toughnesses of both the neat and rubbertoughened epoxy systems are found to be independent of the testing techniques used. Specifically, when the peak load is plotted against B. W1/2/Y (B: thickness, W : width, and Y: correction factor), the data obtained from SEN3PB, SEN4PB, and DN4PB all fall on the same line. The slope of this line is defined as the stress intensity factor. These results imply that with a single DN4PB test, it is possible to gain the information needed to describe both the toughening mechanisms and the fracture toughness value of relatively brittle (KIC 1.2 MPa. M1/2) polymeric materials. Copyright 1991 Society of Plastics Engineers

published proceedings

  • POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • SUE, H. J.

citation count

  • 55

complete list of authors

  • SUE, HJ

publication date

  • January 1991

publisher