<title>Dual cracking at polymer/glass interfaces</title>

Abstract

Moisture-assisted crack growth at polymer/glass interfaces was measured as a function of applied strain energy release rate using a four-point flexure apparatus coupled with an inverted microscope. The specimens consisted of two glass plates bonded together with a thin layer of epoxy or epoxy acrylate adhesive. Of particular importance in this study was the growth of cracks on both interfaces of the sample. Finite element analysis was carried out to gain a fundamental understanding of the observed crack growth behavior.