An Improved Torsional Method for Determining the Fracture Toughness of Stiff Materials and of Adhesive Joints

Abstract

A simple modification is described of the Outwater torsion test method for determining the fracture energy of stiff materials and of adhesive joints. It permits large torsions to be applied and the corresponding torque to be simultaneously monitored. The modified test method can be used with specimens of simple rectangular shape and having a wide range of stiffness. As an example, the fracture energy is determined for molded rectangular bars of polystyrene having a wide range of thickness and of width. A simple modification is described of the Outwater torsion test method for determining the fracture energy of stiff materials and of adhesive joints. It permits large torsions to be applied and the corresponding torque to be simultaneously monitored. The modified test method can be used with specimens of simple rectangular shape and having a wide range of stiffness. As an example, the fracture energy is determined for molded rectangular bars of polystyrene having a wide range of thickness and of width.