MULTIPLE FORMATION OF MICROCRACKS DURING MECHANICAL LOADING OF POLYMERS

General kinetic and thermodynamic reasoning is used to propose a new m echanism for multiple crack formation caused by a mechanical action on a polymer. It is shown that the role of information ''carrier'' to '' weak'' (in terms of thermodynamic stability) spots localized in the po lymer matrix is assigned to phonons as a unique class of quasiparticle s which exist in nonconducting and nonmagnetic dielectrics. (C) 1997 A merican Institute of Physics.