Crazing

Often, when an amorphous brittle polymer is loaded in tension, a phenomenon known as crazing can occur. Crazing involves the formation of small crack-shaped regions that are drawn down but remain constrained by the surrounding material.

The drawn material ends up as ligaments that link the crazed surfaces. Eventually the crazes form cracks that lead to fracture. The crazes contain air giving them a white streaked appearance.

Shear banding

Shear banding is produced in polymers when they are exposed to compressive stresses.

Small stress relieving cracks nucleate within the polymer parallel to the direction of maximum shear stress at an angle of 45°.

As the number of shear bands accumulates the overall strain of the material increases.

Related research

Pyrometallurgy Group

Our research in pyrometallurgical processes targets to increase energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact of metals production.

Structure-Property Optimisation Group

This group examines methods such as electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy and various form of spectroscopy used to determine sample structure, chemistry and crystallography.

Related degrees

Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science) (Honours)
This degree will put you at the forefront of innovation in developing materials that are lighter, greener and stronger.
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Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science) (Honours)/Engineering Science
This double degree caters for students who wish to pursue a career in the disciplines of materials engineering and chemical engineering.
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