Deformation and fracture behavior of polymers

The application of fracture mechanics to polymers and composites enables a quantitative understanding of toughness behavior through specific parameters, facilitating preventive failure analysis. This emerging scientific discipline has rapidly evolved, with experimental findings seeking broader industrial applications. However, the practical use of fracture mechanics parameters in structural-integrity assessments is limited due to challenges in transferring results from specimens to components. Geometry-independent parameters are crucial for ensuring the reliable performance of polymers and components across various industrial sectors, including polymer development, quality control, and the design of durable components in the automotive and electrical industries, as well as household appliances, information technology, and medical applications. This status report on the deformation and fracture behavior of polymer materials is based on revised lectures from the Merseburg discussion conference titled 'Deformation and Fracture Behaviour of Polymers' and additional contributions. The editors and authors aim to provide insights into the applied fracture mechanics of polymers and composites, reflecting their current research efforts.