Fracture characterization of pristine/post-consumer HDPE blends using the essential work of fracture (EWF) concept and extended finite element method (XFEM). (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Na, Sukjoon; Spatari, Sabrina; Hsuan, Yick G.
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 139(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: High density polyethylene -- Essential work of fracture -- Fracture -- Extended finite element method -- Crack growth; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.02.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Highlights: Adding recycled HDPE transfers the failure mode from ductile to brittle. 3-D XFEM can simulate the EWF test, particularly for brittle failure region. Increasing recycled HDPE linearly decreases the plane-strain specific EWF. Increasing recycled HDPE nonlinearly decreases the plane-strain specific non EWF. Abstract: The effect of recycled HDPE on plane-strain fracture properties of pristine HDPE was studied using the essential work of fracture concept. The plane-strain specific EWF decreased linearly as recycled content increased while the plane-strain specific non-EWF exponentially decreased. The specific non-EWF was investigated using the extended finite element method. The nonlinearity of specific non-EWF was influenced by the shape factor ( β D ) and the specific non-essential fracture work per unit volume ( w p, D ), both of which were non-linearly related to recycled content. Blending brittle recycled material to ductile pristine HDPE decreased the fracture toughness and the crack growth resistance.