ABSTRACT
Rubber particles are very effective in some polymeric materials in depriving propagating cracks of the energy they need. This toughening effect can vary with the crack velocity and the size and distribution of the rubber particles in the host material. This is with the rubber particles randomly dispersed in the polymer. Of particular interest was the effect rubber particles had in raising the threshold stress conditions for crack initiation and the effect on the crack velocities above the threshold stress and up to the limiting Rayleigh wave-speed condition. Comparisons showed differences in the fracture surfaces produced and related crack tip toughening processes. This is with and without the rubber particles for different crack velocities. The modelling developed was to visualise the effect that the rubber particles had on the stress and strain conditions at and about the crack tip for crack velocities up to the limiting conditions.
