What is it about?
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are polymer networks with embedded liquid crystal molecules, which align in certain direction, called the director. Interestingly, deformation can induce rotation of the director, leading to unique constitutive behavior. In this work, through systematic fracture experiments on pre-cracked LCE samples, we demonstrate that cracks can change direction during propagation, driven dynamically by deformation-induced director rotation. Using a phase-field fracture modeling approach, we accurately predict fracture paths of LCEs under diverse geometry, material and loading conditions.
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Why is it important?
Our study underscores the importance of accounting for deformation-induced microstructural evolution in accurately predicting and controlling fracture in soft materials. The fracture criteria and modeling framework introduced herein provide essential predictive tools, addressing a major gap in the current understanding of LCE fracture behavior. The foundational insights from our work have the potential to significantly influence the future development of robust and functional LCEs.
Perspectives
LCEs are one of the most important artificial muscle materials. Our study paves the way for designing LCEs with enhanced fracture properties, imperative for their future applications. Our methodology can be extended to other anisotropic and reconfigurable materials, and to bridge a critical gap between microscale structural reorganization and macroscale failure.
Lihua Jin
University of California, Los Angeles
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Fracture of liquid crystal elastomers, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2510727122.
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