Stress-induced cracks often lead to catastrophic failure of materials. For membranes, stress loads concomitant with thermal and mechanical risks during separation will gradually produce cracks, which weaken the stability and reliability of membranes in long-term separation processes. Stress-induced cracks often lead to catastrophic failure of materials. For membranes, stress loads concomitant with thermal and mechanical risks during separation will gradually produce cracks, which weaken the stability and reliability of membranes in long-term separation processes. Materials Science Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories