New fracture characterization in polymer miniature specimens based on the essential work of fracture

Abstract

The fracture characterization under plane-stress conditions in polymer sheets in recent decades has usually been done through the application of the essential work of fracture (EWF) method. However, when deeply double-edged, notched tensile standard specimens cannot be obtained, the use of alternative small pieces, such as prenotched miniature specimens, could be a viable solution. This is why we examined the new fracture characterization in polymer-prenotched small punch test (SPT) specimens in this study. With the results that we obtained, the feasibility of using prenotched SPT specimens for evaluating the EWF parameters and their correspondence with the results from standard specimens were established.