Because of their very large molecular weight (~ 10 6) polymers behave differently from the low molecular weight metals during plastic deformation leading to a ductile fracture. The top diagram shows a ...

Professor K R W Wallin is a recognised expert in the field of fracture mechanics. Indeed his work has provided a major input to the currently accepted ASTM Standard on the Master Curve Method , E1921.

At the peak of Stage II the fiber fractures and the full load is transferred to the matrix. For the material illustrated, the volume fraction of the ductile matrix is large enough that it can take the ...