Role Of Heterogeneities In The Crazing Of Glassy Polymers

Abstract

Crazing in glassy polymers is strongly influenced by heterogeneities at many levels starting from the dense molecular entanglements that can produce micropores by obstructing localized shear, and going up in scale to different polymer phases, particulate inclusions, patches of oriented polymer produced by shear deformation bands, and finally, surface grooves and scratches which can act as internal or surface stress concentrators to initiate dilational localization to form the crazes. These points are discussed semi-quantitatively in the light of some recent experiments on crazing. © 1975, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.