SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP26788S

Fracture Toughness Testing of Polyethylene Pipe Materials

Source

Multiple-specimen J-integral tests, which are defined in the ASTM Test for JIc, A Measure of Fracture Toughness (E 813-81), have been conducted on side-grooved compact tension specimens of medium- and high-density polyethylene. The specimens were precracked with a razor blade, as has been common practice to date, or were fatigue precracked. Tests were performed over a 50 range of crosshead rates in the quasi-static regime. Results indicated that the razor notching gives a J-R curve which is significantly higher than that obtained using fatigue precracked specimens. A significant variation in the J-R curve was noted for changes in the displacement rate due to the viscoelastic character of the polyethylene. The orientation of the specimens, which were cut from actual pipe, was found to have a significant effect on the fracture toughness. The fracture toughness results were correlated with fractographic results, and the behavior of side-grooved and non-side-grooved specimens was compared.

Author Information

Jones, RE
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Bradley, WL
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: E08
Pages: 447–456
DOI: 10.1520/STP26788S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5063-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1174-5