ABSTRACT
Elastomers are materials that exhibit a specific thermal sensitivity related to numerous properties such as entropic elasticity, viscosity, stress softening, as well as strain-induced crystallisation under certain conditions. As regards fracture mechanics in rubbers, the main approach which is developed in the literature is based on the tearing energy (Rivlin & Thomas 1953). However, the mechanical energy which is involved at the crack tip can be in part mechanically dissipated into heat because of damage, viscous effects and possibly local stress softening, which is not taken into account in the tearing energy. The local measurement of the heat sources produced or absorbed in the crack tip zone can therefore provide information of paramount importance for fracture mechanics in rubber. Such measurements can be performed using full-field measurement techniques (Le Cam 2012, Toussaint et al. 2012).
