Plane strain fracture toughness testing of high density polyethylene

The concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) are applied to three grades of high density polyethylene in an attempt to determine their fracture behavior in terms of a linear elastic fracture toughness, Kc. The effect of specimen size (thickness and width), crack length and the mode of loading on Kc has been investigated in order to determine the plane strain fracture toughness, KIc, of these materials. The effect of temperature (between +23 and −180°C) on their fracture behavior has also been investigated and compared in terms of their plane strain fracture toughness values.