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A self-affine geometrical model of dynamic RT-PMMA fractures: implications for fracture energy measurements

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Abstract

Profilometric imaging of fracture surfaces of rubber toughened polymer has been performed at two different resolutions (a) at large scales [10 \(\upmu \)m–25 mm] using an opto-mechanical profilometer and (b) at small scales [0.195 \(\upmu \)m–0.48 mm] using an interferometric optical microscope. We introduced a self-affine geometrical model using two parameters: the Hurst exponent and the topothesy. We showed that for rubber toughened materials the approximation of the created surface by a mean flat plane leads to a poor estimation of the dynamic fracture energy \(G_{Idc}\). The description of the created rough fracture surface by a self-affine model is shown to provide a significantly better approximation. A new and original geometrical method is introduced to estimate self-affine parameters: the 3D surface scaling method. Hurst exponents are shown to be unique, \(\chi =0.6\pm 0.1\) for the different fracture zones and measurement scales. Topothesy ratios indicate a significant difference of fracture surface roughness amplitude depending on the observation resolution when the detrending technique is not correctly introduced.

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Notes

  1. The beginning of a creep crack growth regime is considered herein as a crack arrest.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of “Agence Nationale de la Recherche” and especially the collaborators of “Carenco”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. I2M, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Esplanade des Arts et Métiers, 33405, Talence, France

    Jean-Benoit Kopp

  2. EOST, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, 5 rue René Descartes, 67000, Strasbourg, France

    Jean Schmittbuhl

  3. IMMM, Université du Maine, CNRS, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085, Le Mans, France

    Olivier Noel

  4. ICube, Université du Strasbourg, CNRS, 2 rue Boussingault, 67000, Strasbourg, France

    Christophe Fond

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  1. Jean-Benoit Kopp
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  2. Jean Schmittbuhl
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  3. Olivier Noel
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  4. Christophe Fond
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Correspondence to Jean-Benoit Kopp.

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Kopp, JB., Schmittbuhl, J., Noel, O. et al. A self-affine geometrical model of dynamic RT-PMMA fractures: implications for fracture energy measurements. Int J Fract 193, 141–152 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-015-0025-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-015-0025-2

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