In-situ observations on crack propagation along polymer/glass interfaces.

The propagation of crack fronts along a PET-glass interface is illustrated. The experimental set-up consists of an Asymmetric Double Cantilever Beam in an optical microscope. Image processing techniques used to isolate the crack fronts are discussed in some detail. The fronts are found to propagate inhomogeneously in space and time, in forward bursts that spread laterally along the front for some distance. In some cases the forward movement of a crack can be almost entirely due to the lateral movement of forward steps (analogous to "kinks") along the crack front