2. Determination of cracking resistance (toughness)

Alongside traditional test methods, less conventional but far more informative methods are currently being developed in the field of standards. These tests are based on the theory of fracture mechanics, which takes into account the presence of defects (voids, cavities, cracks, inclusions, etc.) in contrast to the usual calculations used in continuum mechanics (theory of elasticity, strength of materials), and thus makes it possible to analyze the crack initiation and propagation properties of materials in tension, flexion, impact or fatigue. Initially developed for metallic materials (see ), fracture mechanics theory has since proved equally well-suited to the study of defects in plastics and organic matrix...