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Characterization of fracture toughness (G c) of PVC and PES foams

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Abstract

The fracture behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethersulfone (PES) foams has been examined using the single-edge notch bend and the double cantilever beam (DCB) tests. PVC foam densities ranging from 45 to 100 kg/m3 and PES foam densities ranging from 60 to 130 kg/m3 were examined. The PVC foams failed in a linear elastic brittle manner, whereas the PES foams displayed much more ductility and substantially larger toughness at a comparable foam density. The cell wall thickness of the PES foams was almost twice the thickness of the PVC foams which may have contributed to the high fracture toughness here defined as critical energy release rate (G c). The PES foam, further displayed low initiation toughness, due to the sharp artificial crack tip and large toughness corresponding to propagation from a natural crack. The results show that the ductile PES foams have toughness close to its solid counterpart whereas the toughness of the PVC foams falls substantially below its solid counterpart.

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Acknowledgements

Support for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation (#630105-6) under a sub-contract from University of Delaware. Also, special thanks go to Chris Kilbourn and James Jones of DIAB Desoto, Texas, who provided foam materials free of charge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    Elio E. Saenz & Leif A. Carlsson

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Anette Karlsson

Authors
  1. Elio E. Saenz
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  2. Leif A. Carlsson
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  3. Anette Karlsson
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Correspondence to Elio E. Saenz.

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Saenz, E.E., Carlsson, L.A. & Karlsson, A. Characterization of fracture toughness (G c) of PVC and PES foams. J Mater Sci 46, 3207–3215 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-010-5205-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-010-5205-x

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