Evaluating fracture behavior of brittle polymeric materials using an IASCB specimen

Recently, an inclined edge cracked semi-circular specimen subjected to asymmetric three-point bend loading (IASCB) was suggested for determining the mixed mode and pure mode II fracture toughness of brittle polymeric materials. In this research, the advantages of this novel specimen are considered experimentally and the fracture toughness results obtained are compared with what is predicted by the generalized maximum tangential stress (GMTS) criterion. The outcome shows that the T-stress has a significant effect on the value of fracture toughness in various fracture modes and that the IASCB specimen has considerable potential to provide a wide range (positive and negative amounts) of T-stress. Fracture tests were conducted on Plexiglas and there is good agreement between theoretical and experimental results. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.