Continuous interfacial fracture strength testing technique

A method comprising:

• providing an apparatus comprising:
• a stage;
• a cleaving element positioned in relation to the stage;
• a deformation measuring element positioned above the stage;
• and
• a processor configured to control the stage, the cleaving element, and the deformation measuring element;
• securing a test piece to the stage;
• the processor causing relative motion of the cleaving element towards the secured test piece for multiple insertions of the cleaving element into the secured test piece, until the secured test piece fractures;
• and
• the processor causing measurement, with the deformation measuring element, of a vertical height along at least a portion of a length of the secured test piece, to determine, for the multiple insertions, a crack tip location in the secured test piece.

A computer program product for controlling an apparatus comprising:

• a stage;
• a cleaving element positioned in relation to the stage;
• a deformation measuring element positioned above the stage;
• and
• a processor configured to control the stage, the cleaving element, and the deformation measuring element;
• the computer program product comprising:
• one or more computer-readable storage media;
• and
• program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media to perform operations comprising:
• causing relative motion of the cleaving element towards the secured test piece for multiple insertions of the cleaving element into the secured test piece, until the secured test piece fractures;
• and
• causing measurement, with the deformation measuring element, of a vertical height along at least a portion of a length of the secured test piece, to determine, for the multiple insertions, a crack tip location in the secured test piece.