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<p>As one of the primary failure mechanisms of soft materials, cavitation is commonly observed in applications involving triaxial stretching. Cavity expansion is sensitive to the stretch rate, and large deformation can lead to damage and fracture. In this paper, we present a novel investigation of cavitation and cavity expansion-induced fracture, incorporating viscoelastic and damage behavior for the first time. By integrating the Mullins effect into the Poynting-Thomson rheological model, we develop a cavitation theory that couples rate dependency with stress softening. Utilizing the Griffith fracture criterion, we predict fracture initiation and derive the contribution of viscoelasticity and damage effects to toughness. In addition, we propose that the elastoadhesive length <i>Γ</i>/<i>E</i> governs the morphological transition of a deformed cavity in highly stretchable soft materials. Specifically, once the undeformed cavity/crack size reaches a value scaled by <i>Γ</i>/<i>E</i>, the cavity morphology shifts from nearly spherical to penny-like. Our theoretical predictions align well with the experimental results of volume controlled cavity expansion, and the strength and toughness obtained by cavity expansion-induced fracture are comparable to those from the thin sheet tests. This work provides a valuable theoretical framework for predicting the deformation and failure of soft materials, with potential applications in in situ mechanical property testing of soft materials or biological tissues.</p>

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Cavitation and fracture in soft materials with coupled effects of viscoelasticity and damage

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月18日

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  • Yimou Fu,
  • Jinye Zhu,
  • Danming Zhong,
  • Honghui Yu,
  • Shaoxing Qu

摘要

As one of the primary failure mechanisms of soft materials, cavitation is commonly observed in applications involving triaxial stretching. Cavity expansion is sensitive to the stretch rate, and large deformation can lead to damage and fracture. In this paper, we present a novel investigation of cavitation and cavity expansion-induced fracture, incorporating viscoelastic and damage behavior for the first time. By integrating the Mullins effect into the Poynting-Thomson rheological model, we develop a cavitation theory that couples rate dependency with stress softening. Utilizing the Griffith fracture criterion, we predict fracture initiation and derive the contribution of viscoelasticity and damage effects to toughness. In addition, we propose that the elastoadhesive length Γ/E governs the morphological transition of a deformed cavity in highly stretchable soft materials. Specifically, once the undeformed cavity/crack size reaches a value scaled by Γ/E, the cavity morphology shifts from nearly spherical to penny-like. Our theoretical predictions align well with the experimental results of volume controlled cavity expansion, and the strength and toughness obtained by cavity expansion-induced fracture are comparable to those from the thin sheet tests. This work provides a valuable theoretical framework for predicting the deformation and failure of soft materials, with potential applications in in situ mechanical property testing of soft materials or biological tissues.