Fracture of polymer interfaces: Interfacial structure and crack tip plasticity

Abstract

A review describes theory and literature evidence of interface fracture between two solid polymers. When an interface between two solid polymers is fractured, the measured fracture toughness depends on the mol. structure and intermol. interactions at the interface, on the plastic deformation properties of the bulk polymers, and on the geometry of loading. We review and discuss the coupling arising between these different lengths scales with examples of recently published theor. and exptl. studies. The interfacial control of bulk plasticity near the interface is particularly emphasized. [on SciFinder(R)]