This paper presents a new test method that measures fracture toughness of polymeric materials when subjected to in-plane shear loading (mode II), and compares the toughness with that in tension mode (mode I). The new test method uses an Iosipescu device to apply the shear load, and determines the toughness based on the concept of essential work of fracture (EWF). Three physical-based criteria were used to verify the occurrence of mode II fracture. The new test method was then used to evaluate toughness of poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS). The results suggest that for the ABS, the ratio of toughness in mode II to mode I is about 2.5 which leads to the dominance of mode I fracture in most loading conditions. The results also showed that for ABS in mode I fracture, the specific work of fracture (defined as the absorbed energy for fracture divided by the cross sectional area of the ligament between the notch tips) depends on ligament length; while in mode II fracture, it depends on ligament thickness. The study concludes that the new test method has a good potential for evaluation of mode II fracture toughness of polymers, though further study using polymers of different characteristics will be needed to confirm universality of the test method in the measurement of mode II fracture toughness. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.