Fatigue characterization of polyethylene under mixed mode I/III conditions

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2020.106084Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • In depth fracture analysis of mode I and mixed mode I/III loading in polyethylene.

  • Mixed mode I/III loading leads to a decrease of life-time compared to pure mode I.

  • Good correlations were determined via the equivalent stress intensity factor ΔKeq.

  • Mixed mode I/III factory roof formations were found on the fracture surface.

  • Depending on the mode mixity, signs of friction & temperature increases were found.

Abstract

Mixed mode I/III fatigue fracture behaviour of bulk polymers is scarcely investigated. Thus, the aim of this work is to focus on the comparison of pure mode I and mixed mode I/III fatigue loading of polyethylene. During mixed mode I/III testing, both increases and decreases of lifetime were observed, depending on the levels of applied mode I and mode III loading. Additionally, the critical influence of friction and the accompanying increase of local temperature between the shear loaded crack flanks in mode III, as well as the dominant fracture mechanisms were discussed based on the fracture surface morphology.

Keywords

Mixed Mode I/III fatigue loading
Polyethylene
Fracture surface analysis
Equivalent stress intensity factor
Polymer

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