THE EFFECT OF INTERNAL VISCOSITY ON THE TEAR BEHAVIOUR OF NON STRAIN CRYSTALLISING ELASTOMERS

摘要

Crack growth instability has been studied as a function of cross-link density, extent of swelling and specimen thickness. The observed behaviour can be explained in terms of cavitation occurring ahead of the crack tip producing rough surfaces at low strain energy release rates. Cavitation is suppressed at high rates producing smooth surfaces. At intermediate rates, stick/slip behaviour is observed, consisting of increments of both slow (rough) and fast (smooth) crack growth.