Real-Time Early Detection of Crack Propagation Precursors in Delayed Fracture of Soft Elastomers

This project studies how soft elastomers break when they are damaged slowly, before they reach a full‑strength failure point. The focus is on how tiny molecular damage grows into a visible crack. Subcritical fracture happens below the normal failure limit because internal damage builds up over time, and it is a common cause of failure in polymer materials. To predict sudden breakage, we combine two experimental tools: * **Multispeckle diffusing wave spectroscopy (MSDWS)** that measures changes in space and time, and * **Mechanophores** that map where molecular damage occurs. We also run finite‑element simulations of the strain field near the crack tip. By linking the experiments with the simulations, we

look for early signs of fracture. These signs appear as a faster strain‑rate over a large area well before any crack can be seen. The work creates a clear framework for connecting very local molecular damage (about 0.01 mm² in size) with the larger‑scale elastic deformation of the material. The resulting model can help design non‑destructive testing methods and predictive health‑monitoring systems for soft materials that are under long‑term mechanical loads.

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