A random fuse model for breaking processes

We introduce and study a simple idealized model to describe breaking processes by analysing the current-carrying properties of a random network consisting of insulators and fuses. By increasing the value of the external voltage applied across the network, a sequence of fuses will « burn out » and change irreversible into insultating bonds. This process terminates when a conducting path no longer exists in the network. We monitor several basic quantities during this breaking process, such as the conductivity of the network and the value of the voltage needed to break the hottest fuse. Two new exponents describing the behaviour of these quantities near the percolation threshold are reported.