Correlation between the fractal dimension of fracture surfaces and fracture toughness for ductile polymer materials

A microcrack-shear band chain model for the fracture of ductile materials is proposed. The fractal dimension (D) of the fracture surfaces is derived and correlated with the fracture toughness (K_Ic) of ductile materials. The fractal dimension of the fracture surface is predicted to have an inverse trend with the fracture toughness. The theoretical results are consistent with the experimental results of some polymers and metals. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.