Theoretical Aspects of Fracture of Polymeric Materials

Abstract

Both the intramolecular covalent bonds and the intermolecular van der Waals interactions affects the tensile deformation and failure of polymeric materials. The aim of this theoretical study of fracture behavior is to elucidate the large difference between the theoretical bond strength of main chains and the actual strength of polymeric solids. The fracture and failure characteristics have been investigated from microscopic and macroscopic points of view. If the strength of a material is limited by macroscopic cracks and crazes, then a formalism based on continuum mechanics is commonly used to investigate the distribution and time evolution of these flaws. The evolution of microscopic voids and cavities into macroscopic cracks and crazes can be analyzed by a kinetic rate process, leading to the statistical aspects of fracture points. In addition, we demonstrated that the nucleation of microscopic cavities is caused by quantum interaction between extended chains.