Mixed-mode fracture in a soft elastomer

We present an experimental study on mixed-mode crack propagation in thin sheet specimens of a soft silicone elastomer. To introduce mixed-mode loading, we adopted the widely applied pure shear fracture testing geometry, but oriented the initial crack at an inclined angle relative to the direction perpendicular to the external tensile loading. Because of the inclined angle, locally the crack tip was subjected to both tensile and shear loading...