Thin layer splitting along the elastic-plastic solid surface

Thin layer splitting along the elastic-plastic solid surface is studied based on the elastic-plastic fracture mechanics method. In the splitting process, since the split arm does not undergo the reversed plastic bending, comparing with the conventional peel test method, the split test has remarkable advantages in measuring the material fracture behavior and is recommended as a new test method. Moreover, besides the driving force parameter, the split test method provides an additional measurable parameter, a residual curvature (or curvature radius) of the split arm. Comparing with the peeling force, the split force also has the connection with the total energy release rate, which is related with the crack tip separation energy (or material fracture toughness), separation strength, and the plastic dissipation work. Through measuring the driving force and the residual curvature, the fracture toughness and separation strength can be obtained. The primary objective of the present research is to develop a series of relations of the split force, the residual curvature, as well as the crack tip slope angle, respectively with the split layer thickness and material parameters, when crack tip advances steadily. Frictionless (or smooth) contact between splitter head and split arm surface is assumed. Another objective of the present research is to explore a connection between the split test solutions and the peel test solutions. Finally, the split test analysis is applied to a wedge-loaded double-cantilever beam experiment for Al-alloy material, a considerably similar test method with the split test, conducted by Thouless and his collaborators, and the fracture parameters from both test systems are correlated.