Dynamic crack propagation and unloading behavior of brittle polymers

The method of caustics in combination with a Cranz–Schardin high-speed camera was utilized to study dynamic crack propagation and unloading behavior of epoxy, PMMA and Homalite-100 specimens. Dynamic stress intensity factor K _ID and crack velocity were evaluated in the course of crack propagation. Caustic patterns at the loading points were also recorded to estimate load P applied to the specimen. Unloading rate , the time derivative of P, was determined as a function of time t, and its time correlation with K _ID or was examined. The findings showed that the change in was qualitatively in accord with the change in K _ID or . However, there existed slight differences among the values of t giving the maximum , and K _ID, so that their order was , and K _ID. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.