Essential work of fracture of glass bead filled low density polyethylene

The use of essential work of fracture (EWF) method to determine the fracture of glass bead filled low density polyethylene was discussed. The nonelastic region at the tip of the crack may be divided into an inner fracture process zone (IFPZ) and an outer plastic deformation zone (OPDZ). The essential work of fracture expended in the IFPZ to form a neck and subsequent tearing, and the nonessential work of fracture dissipated in the OPDZ where various types of deformation such as shear yielding and microvoiding may be functioning. The composites show a roughly linear decrease with increasing of the filling content of glass beads.