Crack Velocity Dependence of Electron Emission During Fracture of Filled Elastomers.

Abstract : We examine the electron emission accompanying the fracture of filled elastomers, which in previous work we have shown to be intense and due predominately to interfacial failure. In this study we show that there is a strong velocity dependence on the rate of electron emission during the propagation of a crack in filled silicon rubber and polybutadiene filled with glass beads. We propose that the concentration of free radicals produced by crack propagation increases rapidly with crack velocity which in turn produces more intense electron emission by a chemi-emission mechanism. (Author)