Notch effect assessment in a PUR material using a ring shaped specimen

Notch effect in porous polyurethane rigid (PUR) materials is analyzed using a ring shaped specimen containing a single radially U-notch of different tip radii. If the specimen is subjected to a diametrically compressive load, various mixed mode I/II conditions are acquired depending on the notch orientation angle. A comparison between our experimental results and the theoretical predictions based on local strain energy density approach is presented. This criterion provides reasonable results for the final critical fracture load.