Original scientific paper

Molecular chain dynamics and polymer fracture toughness

Želimir JELČIĆ ; PLIVA-Research and Development d.o.o., Zagreb

Abstract

The examples of recent modelling and computational studies given in this paper serve to demonstrate that plasticity and fracture in polymeric systems have particular features that distinguish them from those in metals. Both in plasticity and fracture, the physical mechanisms involve localization. Plasticity, or shear yielding, leads to the initiation and propagation of shear bands, which are a consequence of intrinsic softening after yield followed by orientational hardening. Fracture is commonly caused by localization of deformation in the craze, which propagates because of the local plastic flow at a very small size scale. A constitutive model for plasticity and a cohesive surface model for crazing that capture these essential features have been developed only recently. This is especially true when compared to the time frame over which plasticity and fracture have been studied. Thus, there are still many open issues in polymer fracture and to resolve them a lot can be done using computational and modelling mechanics.

Keywords

fracture; molecular chain dynamics; polymer; reptation; toughness

Hrčak ID:

44140

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/44140

Publication date:

4.12.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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