Experimentally simulating high-rate behaviour: rate and temperature effects in polycarbonate and PMMA

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Physics
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• High-rate deformation of polymers is crucial for impact resistance and safety.
• Experimental simulation of high-rate polymer behavior is challenging.
• Previous studies have explored this technique on plasticized polyvinyl chloride.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a novel simulation technique to amorphous polymers.
• To investigate the high-rate deformation response of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate.
• To compare simulated mechanical data with actual high-rate loading data.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing low strain rate experiments combined with specific temperature profiles.
• Applying the technique to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate.
• Comparing mechanical data from simulated and actual high-rate loading conditions.

Main Results:

• Successful simulation of high-rate deformation response for PMMA and polycarbonate.
• Comparison of mechanical data highlighting similarities and differences between simulated and actual high-rate loading.
• Identification of the necessary temperature profiles for accurate simulation.

Conclusions:

• The low-rate temperature-profile technique effectively simulates high-rate polymer deformation.
• The study provides valuable data on the yield and post-yield behavior of PMMA and polycarbonate.
• This method offers a complementary approach to traditional high-rate testing.