Premium
Effect of physical aging on the fracture behavior of crosslinked epoxies
Author(s) -
Truong V.T.,
Ennis B. C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760310803
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , fracture toughness , natural rubber , deformation (meteorology) , displacement (psychology) , fracture (geology) , toughness , strain energy release rate , fracture mechanics , psychology , psychotherapist
The effect of physical aging on the fracture behavior, crack opening displacement, and plastic deformation zone of unmodified and rubber‐modified epoxies was determined at two aging temperatures and different displacement rates. The strain energy release rate decreases to between 40 and 50% (for rubber modified and unmodified samples, respectively) of the unaged values after 35 days aging. Systematic dependence of the decrease in fracture toughness by aging on the rubber content is not apparent. The increased yield stress after physical aging is the main factor contributing to the reduction in fracture toughness, crack opening displacement, and plastic deformation zone. Physical aging suppresses the crack blunting mechanisms in epoxies.