Wedge Splitting Test and Fracture Energy on Particulate Reinforced Composites

The effect of temperature on the fracture energy, crack propagation, and crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) was determined for particulate reinforced composites using the wedge splitting test. The materials that were used consisted of a polymer binder, an oxidizing agent, and aluminum particles. The test rate of the wedge splitting specimen was 50 mm/min, the temperature conditions were 50 degrees C, room temperature, -40 degrees C, and -60 degrees C. The fracture energy, calculated from splitting load-crack mouth opening displacement(CMOD) curves, increased with decreasing temperature from 50 degrees C to -40 degrees C. In addition, the strength of the particulate reinforced composites increased sharply at 60 degrees C, and the composites evidenced brittle fracture due to the glass transition temperature. The strain fields near the crack tip were analyzed using digital image correlation.