Effects of rubber content and temperature on dynamic fracture toughness ofABS materials

The effects of rubber content and temperature on dynamic fracture toughness of ABS materials have been investigated based on the J-integral and crack opening displacement (COD, delta) concepts by an instrumented Charpy impact test. A multiple specimens R-curve method and stop block technique are use d. It is shown that the materials exhibit a different toughness behavior, d epending on rubber content and temperature. The resistance against stable c rack initiation (J(0.2) or delta(0.2)) increases with increasing rubber con tent. However, J(0.2) first increased with increasing temperature until rea ching the maximum value; after that, it decreases with further increasing t he temperature. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.