Mechanism of Micro-Crack Propagation in Semicrystalline Polymers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5995.2014.03.02.1Keywords:
Crystalline morphology, fracture, micro-cracks, internal stress, high -density polyethylene (HDPE).Abstract
The development and propagation of cracks is the principle reason for premature mechanical failure of polymeric materials. The well known and widely accepted fracture theories, namely the Griffith fracture theory and the Irwin model, both assume that fracture takes place through the presence of preexisting cracks in the polymer. These minor preexisting cracks, or micro-cracks, are practically present in most polymeric samples. The Griffith approach assumes that for any particular material, the fracture stress is controlled by the size of the flaws present in the structure.
The control and minimization of micro-crack size during polymer processing requires an understanding of the inherent micro-crack propagation mechanism.
The present research reveals a mechanism of internal stress-induced micro-crack propagation in semicrystalline polymers and describes the effect of the intricate crystalline morphological interactions on the extent and direction of intra-spherulite and inter-spherulite micro-crack propagation. In conclusion, a method for minimizing inter-spherulite micro-crack propagation is presented in this article.
References
Williams JG. Fracture of Polymers. Polym Eng Sci 1973; 17(3): 144-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pen.760170303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.760170303
Bank LC. Progressive Failure and ductility of FRP Composites for Construction: Review/ J Comoos Constr 2013; 17: 406-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000355
Mallick PK, Fiber-Reinforced Composites, CRC Press, New York 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420005981
Young RJ, Lovell PA. Introduction to Polymers. 3rd ed., CRC Press, New York 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781439894156
Bower DI. Introduction to Polymer Physics. Cambiridge University Press 2008.
Murray J, Hull D. Inherent Flaw Size and Fracture Energy of Polystyrene. J Mater Sci 1971; 6: 1277-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00552041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00552041
Hashemi S, Williams JG. Fracture from Inherent Flaw in Polymers. J Mater Sci 1985; 20: 4202-208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00552415 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00552415
Stern T, Wachtel E, Marom G. Origin, Morphology and Crystallography of Polyethylene-Based Single Polymer Composites. Composites Part A 1997; 28A: 437-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-835X(96)00142-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-835X(96)00142-X
Stern T, Wachtel E, Marom G. Epitaxy and Lamellar Twisting in Transcrystalline Polyethylene. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 1997; 35: 2429-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0488(19971115)35:15<2429::AID-POLB5>3.0.CO;2-O DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0488(19971115)35:15<2429::AID-POLB5>3.0.CO;2-O
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2014 Journal of Research Updates in Polymer Science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Policy for Journals/Articles with Open Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work
Policy for Journals / Manuscript with Paid Access
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Publisher retain copyright .
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post links to their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work .
