Journal of Materials Science, Vol.41, No.2, 437-443, 2006
Temperature effects on the fatigue of highly filled PMMA
The modulus and fracture toughness of an ATH-filled PMMA composite are determined as a function of temperature. The modulus can be modelled as a series addition of the two phases, giving a decreasing modulus with temperature tending to zero at 110 degrees C. The K-1C value remains constant. Fatigue crack growth data in the form of da/dN versus K were obtained as a function of temperature and modelled using the Paris Law. The power index remained constant at 7.5, but the coefficient had a maximum at 50 degrees C. It is suggested that this arises from microcracks generated by interparticle thermal stresses which are shown to have a maximum at the same temperature (50 degrees C). A two-stage zone fatigue crack growth model was also applied to the data and gave a damage stress which correlated with the thermal stress and suggested a criterion based on achieving a constant energy per unit area. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.