Fatigue crack growth in polymers

Within the framework of fracture mechanics the fatigue of polymers is chara cterised by the rate of crack propagation as a function of the amplitude an d frequency of the stress intensity factor. The measurements are performed by starting with a notched specimen to be independent of inherent natural o r surface defects. In application of this method some experimental question s have come about, some of which are dealt with in this work. In particular , the measurement of crack propagation, the influence of the shape of the s pecimen and the applied frequency, the measurement with constant or increas ing stress intensity amplitude and the propagating crack as a signal for tr ansitions in internal deformation mechanisms. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.