This book gives an overview of recent advances in the fracture mechanics of polymers (experimental and alternative methods), morphology property correlations (homopolymers, copolymers, blends), hybrid methods for polymer testing and polymer diagnostics, and biocompatible materials and medical prostheses, as well as application examples and limits. The investigation of deformation and fracture behaviour using the experimental methods of fracture mechanics has been the subject of intense research during the last decade. In a systematic manner, each chapter of this book gives a review of the particular aspects. This book will be of great value to scientists, engineers and graduates in polymer materials science.

Inhalt

A 1.1 New Developments in Toughness Evaluation of Polymers and Compounds by Fracture Mechanics.- A 1.2 Concepts of Fracture Mechanics for Polymers.- A 2.1 Influence of Specimen Geometry and Loading Conditions on the Crack Resistance Behaviour of Poly(vinyl chloride) and Polypropylene.- A 2.2 Procedure for Determining the Crack Resistance Behaviour Using the Instrumented Charpy Impact Test.- A 2.3 Possibilities and Limits of Standards and Drafts for J-R Curve Determination of Polymers.- A 2.4 The Relationship Between the Fracture Behaviour and Structural Parameters of PE-HD.- A 3.1 Application of Single-Specimen Testing Methods for Determining J-R Curves of Polymers.- A 3.2 Application of Normalization Method for Determining J-R Curves in the Amorphous Polymer PVC.- A 3.3 Calculation of J-R Curves Based on Load-Deflection Diagrams Using the Hinge Model Test Specimen.- A 3.4 An Alternative Method Based on J-TJ and ?-T? Stability Assessment Diagrams to Determine Instability Values from Crack Resistance Curves.- B 1.1 Supermolecular Structure and Mechanical Behaviour of Isotactic Polypropylene.- B 1.2 Correlation Between Structure and Toughness Behaviour of High-Density Polyethylene under Impact Load.- B 1.3 Toughness and Relaxation Behaviour of PMMA, PS and PC.- B 1.4 Crazing in Amorphous Polymers - Formation of Fibrillated Crazes Near the Glass Transition Temperature.- B 1.5 Influence of Temperature and Moisture on Toughness Behaviour of Polyamide.- B 2.1 Relationship Between Fracture Behaviour and Morphology in PE/PP Blends.- B 2.2 Influence of Modifier Content and Temperature on Toughness Behaviour of Polyamide.- B 2.3 Morphology and Toughness of PP/EPR Blends.- B 2.4 Morphology and Micro-Mechanics of Phase-Separated Polyethylene Blends.- B 3.1 Toughness Optimization of Multi-Phase Polymer Materials Based on a PP Matrix Using Fracture Mechanics Parameters.- B 3.2 Crack Toughness Behaviour of ABS Materials.- B 3.3 Fracture Mechanics Characterization of ABS Materials - Influence of Morphology and Temperature.- B 3.4 Brittle Fracture of ABS - Investigation of the Morphology-Failure Relationship.- C.1 Defect-Selective Imaging.- C.2 Determination of Local Deformation Behaviour of Polymers by Means of Laser Extensometry.- C.3 Damage Analysis of Composite Materials by Acoustic-Emission Examination.- D.1 Polymer-Based Composites for Friction and Wear Applications.- D.2 Modification of Polymers by Means of Amorphous Carbon for Optimization of Tribological Properties.- D.3 Mechanical Vibration Behaviour of a Compressor Blade Made from a High-Performance Composite.- E.1 Polymer Materials in Joint Surgery.- E.2 Material Parameters and ESEM Characterization of Functional ENT Prostheses During Ongoing Degradation.- E.3 Microbial Corrosion of Pharyngo-Tracheal Shunt Valves ('Voice Prostheses').- E.4 Deformation Behaviour of Voice Prostheses - Sensitivity of Mechanical Test Methods.- F.1 Crack Initiation Wear and Molecular Structure of Filled Vulcanized Materials.- F.2 Investigation of Crack Propagation Behaviour of Unfilled and Filled Vulcanizates.- F.3 Characterization of Deformation Behaviour of Modified Polymer Concrete.- F.4 Fracture Mechanics Testing of Modified Epoxy Resins with Mini-Compact Tension (CT) Specimens.- G.1 Modelling of the Mechanical Behaviour of Non-Linear Viscoelastic Materials under a Multi-Dimensional State of Stress.- G.2 Detergent Resistance of PP/GF Composites.- G.3 Material Optimization of Polypropylene-Short-Glass-Fibre Composites.- G.4 Influence of Exposure on the Impact Behaviour of Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites.- G.5 Physical Ageing and Post-Crystallization of Polypropylene.- Author Index.