Investigation of the Slow Crack Growth Behavior of Static and Cyclic Loaded Specimens of Polyethylene by 2D and 3D Optical Fracture Surface Analysis

摘要

A fracture surface investigation was conducted to study the applicability of cracked round bar (CRB) specimens for an accelerated extrapolation concept for a lifetime assessment of polyethylene (PE) pipes. Scanning electron microscopy and topography metrology with InfiniteFocus were used to study the slow crack growth behavior in CRB specimens at different loading conditions. The results confirm the compliance of the CRB test with the requirements of linear elastic fracture mechanics.