Toughness increment by crack growth in toughened structural materials

Material toughening could be furnished by the energy dissipating wakes and bridging segments during crack growth. According to their contributions to the energy integral applicable to a growing crack, the toughening mechanisms are categorized as: dilatational plasticity and induced shear yielding in the crack wakes, bridging due to second inclusion phases, and the matrix bridging caused by wavy crack front. Detailed toughening analysis is pursued for structural polymers and composite materials reinforced by short aligned fibers. Sponsored by the State Education Commission of China and by the Fok Ying-Tung Education Foundation