In structural engineering and material science, fast fracture is a term given to a phenomenon in which a flaw (such as a crack) in a material expands quickly, and leads to catastrophic failure of the material. Stress acting on a material when fast fracture occurs is less than the material's yield stress. A very representative example of this is what happens when poking a blown up balloon with a needle, that is, fast fracture of the balloon's material.
Famous quotes containing the word fast:
“A man may travel fast enough and earn his living on the road.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)