Fracture behavior of a brittle polymer under impact tensile loading

Brittle fracture behavior of MBS resin under impact tensile loading was studied using single-edge-cracked specimens. The dynamic load and displacement were measured using a piezo sensor and a high-speed extensometer, respectively. The load and displacement diagram, i.e. the external work Uex applied to the specimen was used to determine the elastic energy Ee and the fracture energy Ef for creating a new fracture surface As. Energy release rates were then estimated using Gt = Uex/As and Gf=Ef/As. The values of Gt and Gf were correlated with the fracture loads and the mean crack. velocities determined from the load and time relationships.