Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Fracture Behavior in Notched ABS Specimens: Analysis of Stress Intensity Factors and Stress Concentration Effects

Abstract

This experimental and analytical study explores the mechanical response of notched Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) specimens subjected to uniaxial loading. By varying notch lengths from 1 to 14 mm, the results shows a threshold behavior of the stress intensity factor (KIC), which increases rapidly up to a critical level. Beyond this threshold, the crack propagation is observed. Furthermoe, the results of the stress concentration factor (Kt), which increase linearly with increasing notch length, confirm the use of the Neuber and Peterson theoretical models to ABS materials. In the one hand, the numerical analysis, using the Finite element analyses carried out using CASTEM, shows the stress distribution around notch tips. The critical values of this stess are localized within a radius of about 3 mm. After those critical values, the stress progressively returns to nominal levels. On the other hand, to validate the numerical results, we have conducted an experimental study, using the Zwick Roell universal testing machine, to show how the geometric discontinuities influence the mechanical and fracture behavior of ABS structures.