A theory for large deformation and damage of interpenetrating polymer networks

Elastomers and gels can be formed by interpenetrating two polymer networks on a molecular scale. This paper develops a theory to characterize the large deformation and damage of interpenetrating polymer networks. The theory integrates an interpenetrating network model with the network alteration theory. The interpenetration of one network stretches polymer chains in the other network and reduces its chain density, significantly affecting the initial modulus, stiffening and damage properties of the resultant elastomers and gels. Double-network hydrogels, a special type of interpenetrating polymer network, have demonstrated intriguing mechanical properties including high fracture toughness, Mullins effects, and necking instability. These properties have been qualitatively attributed to the damage of polymer networks. Using the theory, we quantitatively illustrate how the interplay between polymer-chain stiffening and damage-induced softening can cause the Mullins effect and necking instability. The theory is further implemented into a finite-element model to simulate the initiation and propagation of necking instability in double-network hydrogels. The theoretical and numerical results are compared with experimental data from multiple cyclic compressive and tensile tests.     

Some thermal and rheological properties of homogeneous interpenetrating polymer networks

Summary Homogeneous interpenetrating polymer networks, (IPNs), consisting of methacrylic and epoxy networks, were obtained at various compositions from a simultaneous polymerization of DGEBAMA and DGEBA. For each composition, the glass transition occurs at a well-defined temperature which is lower than the weighted average of the glass transition temperatures of each component. Tensile experiments showed a change of mechanical behaviour above some critical strain value. This phenomenon was corroborated by stress relaxation tests which allowed the determination of a complete relaxation below a critical strain. This strain is increasing with the temperature and decreasing with the crosslink density. Such a property disappeared after the addition of grafting molecules which prevented both networks from any relative sliding. In this way this behaviour appears to be a specific property of interpenetrating networks.With 10 figures     

Multiaxial Mechanical Characterization of Interpenetrating Polymer Network Reinforced Acrylic Elastomer

The acrylic elastomer membrane VHB 4910 is a material widely used for applications as Dielectric Elastomer Actuators DEA. For suitable actuation performance however, it is necessary to pre-strain the very compliant membrane. This reduces the lifetime of DEA due to early failure of the tensioned membrane. Interpenetrating Polymer Network Reinforced Acrylic Elastomers (IPN) are produced by introducing a curable additive into the pre-strained acrylic elastomer membrane. While curing at elevated temperature, the additive forms a second polymeric network that supports part of the pre-strain in the acrylic membrane. This leads to a free standing material that combines the actuation performance of pre-strained VHB 4910 with an excellent long-term reliability. This work presents a detailed mechanical characterization of acrylic IPN membranes. To reduce the experimental effort required to characterize the nonlinear elastic behavior, we developed a unique specimen design that enables the assessment of uni- and biaxial stress states within one experiment. Slight changes in the material composition of IPN-membranes lead to substantial variations in their mechanical properties. The extraction of material behavior in different kinematic states within a single sample thus reduces the uncertainty on the determination of constitutive models. An extensive experimental campaign was carried out involving uniaxial and equibiaxial tension and relaxation. Image based local deformation measurements and iterative finite element calculations were applied to derive constitutive model parameters that describe the mechanical response in a wide range of planar strain and strain rate.     

Experimental analysis of nonlinear resonances in piezoelectric plates with geometric nonlinearities

Piezoelectric devices with integrated actuation and sensing capabilities are often used for the development of electromechanical systems. The present paper addresses experimentally the nonlinear dynamics of a fully integrated circular piezoelectric thin structure, with piezoelectric patches used for actuation and other for sensing. A phase-locked loop control system is used to measure the resonant periodic response of the system under harmonic forcing, in both its stable and unstable parts. The single-mode response around a symmetric resonance as well as the coupled response around an asymmetric resonance, involving two companion modes in 1:1 internal resonance, is accurately measured. For the latter, a particular location of the patches and additional signal processing is proposed to spatially discriminate the response of each companion mode. In addition to a hardening behavior associated with geometric nonlinearities of the plate, a softening behavior predominant at low actuation amplitudes is observed, resulting from the material piezoelectric nonlinearities.

     

Electro-mechanical properties and electrostriction response of a rubbery polymer for EAP applications

The mechanical response of a widely used electro-active polymer (EAP) material, and the sensitivity of this response to imposed strain rate, are measured by performing tension and compression tests at constant strain rate as well as relaxation experiments. Simple actuators are constructed and used to determine the sensitivity of the material’s relative dielectric permittivity to excitation frequency and imposed equibiaxial strain. Actuators are subjected to both a monotonic, slowly increasing electrical excitation and to a more rapid oscillating electric field; the differences in the resulting actuation strains reveal the importance of the material’s viscosity in its performance as an actuator.     

Finite viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity of semicrystalline polymers

Observations are reported on low-density polyethylene in uniaxial tensile and compressive tests with various strain rates and in tensile and compressive relaxation tests with various strains. A constitutive model is developed for the time-dependent response of a semicrystalline polymer at arbitrary three-dimensional deformations with finite strains. A polymer is treated as an equivalent network of chains bridged by junctions (entanglements between chains in the amorphous phase and physical cross-links at the lamellar surfaces). Its viscoelastic behavior is associated with separation of active strands from temporary junctions and merging of dangling strands with the inhomogeneous network. The viscoplastic response is attributed to sliding of junctions between chains with respect to their reference positions. Constitutive equations are derived by using the laws of thermodynamics. The stress–strain relations involve 6 material constants that are found by matching the observations.      

On the dynamic electromechanical loading of dielectric elastomer membranes

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have received considerable attention recently due to large voltage-induced strains, which can be over 100%. Previously, a large deformation quasi-static model that describes the out-of-plane deformations of clamped diaphragms was derived. The numerical model results compare well with quasi-static experimental results for the same configuration. With relevance to dynamic applications, the time-varying response of initially planar dielectric elastomer membranes configured for out-of-plane deformations has not been reported until now. In this paper, an experimental investigation and analysis of the dynamic response of a dielectric elastomer membrane is reported. The experiments were conducted with prestretched DEAs fabricated from 0.5 mm thick polyacrylate films and carbon grease electrodes. The experiments covered the electromechanical spectrum by investigating membrane response due to (i) a time-varying voltage input and (ii) a time-varying pressure input, resulting in a combined electromechanical loading state in both cases. For the time-varying voltage experiments, the membrane had a prestretch of three and was passively inflated to various predetermined states, and then actuated. The pole strains incurred during the inflation were as high as 25.6%, corresponding to slightly less than a hemispherical state. On actuation, the membrane would inflate further, causing a maximum additional strain of 9.5%. For the time-varying pressure experiments, the prestretched membrane was inflated and deflated mechanically while a constant voltage was applied. The membrane was cycled between various predetermined inflation states, the largest of which was nearly hemispherical, which with an applied constant voltage of 3 kV corresponded to a maximum polar strain of 28%. The results from these experiments reveal that the response of the membrane is a departure from the classical dynamic response of continuum membrane structures. The dynamic response of the membrane is that of a damped system with specific deformation shapes reminiscent of the classical membrane mode shapes but without same-phase oscillation, that is to say all parts of the system do not pass through the equilibrium configuration at the same time. Of particular interest is the ability to excite these deformations through a varying electrical load at constant mechanical pressure.     

A strain rate dependent yield criterion for isotropic polymers: Low to high rates of loading

In this study, strain rate sensitivity of yield behavior in a semicrystalline polymer, Nylon 101, was experimentally investigated. A precise definition of yield was established for the polymer by deforming several specimens to certain levels of strain and measuring the residual strains after unloading and strain recovery. The material was then subjected to different loading conditions (uniaxial to multiaxial) at four different quasi-static and intermediate strain rates to determine several points on the material's yield loci. Due to positive strain rate sensitivity of this polymer, the material's yield loci expanded uniformly as the strain rates were increased to higher values. Further, an empirical hydrostatic pressure dependent yield equation (with four material constants) was developed to simulate these behaviors as a function of strain rate. The capability of the developed criterion was examined by simulating high strain rate yield behavior of the material in tension and in compression. The simulation results revealed very good correlations/predictions between the experimental data and the responses determined from the proposed yield criterion.     

考虑挠曲电效应的压电纳米薄板力-电-热耦合特性研究

摘要：挠曲电效应是由应变梯度引起的,与尺度相关的力电耦合效应。基于Kirchhoff板假设和挠曲电理论,本文推导了温度和电压作用下的压电薄板力-电-热耦合微分控制方程,定量分析了微分控制方程中非线性项的影响,并针对四周固支压电薄板采用Ritz法求解,数值计算了压电薄板的弯曲和振动行为。在研究温度和挠曲电效应对薄板耦合特性和力学行为的影响时,本文分别考虑了材料系数不随温度变化和随温度线性变化两种情况。以PZT-5H为例,我们讨论了挠曲电和温度对压电薄板的横向位移和固有频率的影响。研究结果表明挠曲电效应对压电纳米薄板的力学行为影响很大,且具有明显的尺寸效应。此外,薄板对温度变化非常敏感。因此,可通过挠曲电效应和温度来调控压电纳米薄板的多场耦合特性和力学行为,进而优化基于压电薄板的NEMS/MEMS中传感器、作动器等电子器件的性能。     

The viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior of low-density polyethylene

Three series of tensile tests with constant cross-head speeds (ranging from 5 to 200 mm/min), tensile relaxation tests (at strains from 0.03 to 0.09) and tensile creep tests (at stresses from 2.0 to 6.0 MPa) are performed on low-density polyethylene at room temperature. Constitutive equations are derived for the time-dependent response of semicrystalline polymers at isothermal deformation with small strains. A polymer is treated as an equivalent heterogeneous network of chains bridged by temporary junctions (entanglements, physical cross-links and lamellar blocks). The network is thought of as an ensemble of meso-regions linked with each other. The viscoelastic behavior of a polymer is modelled as thermally-induced rearrangement of strands (separation of active strands from temporary junctions and merging of dangling strands with the network). The viscoplastic response reflects mutual displacement of meso-domains driven by macro-strains. Stress–strain relations for uniaxial deformation are developed by using the laws of thermodynamics. The governing equations involve five material constants that are found by fitting the observations. Fair agreement is demonstrated between the experimental data and the results of numerical simulation. It is shown that observations in conventional creep tests reflect not only the viscoelastic, but also the viscoplastic behavior of an ensemble of meso-regions.     

Size effect on mechanical behavior of random fiber networks

Bonded random fiber networks are heterogeneous on multiple scales. This leads to a pronounced size effect on their mechanical behavior. In this study we quantify the size effect and determine the minimum model size required to eliminate the size effect for given set of system parameters. These include the network density, the fiber length and the fiber bending and axial stiffness. The results may guide the definition of models and the selection of the size of representative volume elements in sequential multiscale models of fiber networks. To underline the origins of the size effect, we characterize the network heterogeneity by analyzing the geometry of the network (density distribution), the strain field and the strain energy distribution. The dependence of the heterogeneity on the scale of observation and system parameters is discussed.     

Stress relaxation and creep of polymer gels in solvent under uniaxial and biaxial deformations

Stress relaxation and creep of polymer gels in solvent under various deformation modes such as uniaxial, strip-biaxial, and equibiaxial were theoretically investigated. The magnitudes of relaxed stress and the creep at equilibrium under each deformation mode were derived by a thermodynamic consideration of gel system. Combining a constitutive equation of gel with the equation of motion of polymer network, the stress and strain under each deformation mode have been formulated. The theory proposed here was applied to the rectangular gels under various deformations to calculate the stress relaxation and creep behavior of polymer networks in solvent. Two methods different in treatment of swelling under the constant strain or stress were employed for the calculation: one is based on the assumption that the swelling proceeds isotropically, and the other considers the anisotropic swelling process. The results obtained by the two methods mainly differ in the diffusion mode determining the swelling behavior. The possibility of undershoot of relative strain in load-free direction in the creep is also expected.     

Finite element modelling of rubber-like polymers based on chain statistics

In this work finite element simulations are conducted based on the micro structure of polymers in order to transfer the information of the micro level to the macro level. The micro structure of polymers is characterized by chain-like macromolecules linked together at certain points. In this way an irregular three-dimensional network is formed. Many authors use the tool of statistical mechanics to describe the deformation behaviour of the entire network. Most of these concepts can be reformulated as traditional continuum mechanical formulations. They are, however, restricted to affine deformation, regular chain arrangements and purely elastic material behaviour. For this reason, in the present contribution, we propose a new finite element-based simulation method for polymer networks which enables us to include non-affinity and arbitrary chain configurations. It can be easily extended to include chain breakage and reconnection.The polymer structure to be investigated, e.g. a rubber boot or a seal, is discretized by means of tetrahedral elements. To each edge of a tetrahedral element one truss element is attached which models the force–stretch behaviour of a bundle of polymer chains. Each of these tetrahedral unit cells represents the micro mechanical material behaviour in a certain point of the network. The proposed method provides the possibility to observe how changes at the microscopic level influence the macroscopic material behaviour. Such information is especially valuable for the polymer industry.     

Age-related changes in longitudinal prestress in human abdominal aorta

Studies on the influence of aging on the longitudinal mechanical response of elastic arteries are rare, though longitudinal behavior may have a significant effect on pressure pulse transmission. Our study was designed to elucidate how aging is reflected in changes of the longitudinal prestress, prestretch, and pretension force. The study involved ten human samples (six female and four male) of the abdominal aorta with longitudinal prestretch determined in autopsy. Cylindrical samples underwent a longitudinal elongation test in order to estimate the force necessary to attain the in situ length and to determine the corresponding axial prestress. The elastic modulus was estimated employing hyperelastic limiting chain extensibility model. It was found that pretension force, longitudinal prestress, and prestretch are negatively correlated with age. The decreased longitudinal force necessary to obtain the in situ length suggested that the decrease in the prestress occurs not only due to the age-related increase in the cross-section area. Since elastin is the main constituent responsible for bearing the prestretch, this suggests that the observed decrease in the longitudinal prestress and prestretch reflects aging-induced damage to the elastin. Finally, constitutive modeling showed that limiting chain extensibility is a concept that is suitable for describing the aging effect.     

An analysis of thickness effects in the Izod test

The Izod impact test is analyzed numerically using a polymer constitutive relation with material parameters qualitatively representative of a polycarbonate. The computations are full 3D transient analyses using explicit time integration and accounting for finite strains. The main purpose of the analyses is a comparison of the stress and strain fields that develop for the various specimen geometries that are used in practice, ranging from a specimen with a square cross-section to a specimen with a width about a quarter of that value. It is shown that the response varies from something close to a plane strain response to something close to a plane stress response. The results illustrate the effect of the stress–strain behavior of polymers, which involves attaining a stress peak, followed by softening and then by the gradual evolution of a very stiff response resulting from increasing network stiffness.     

Modelling large deformation behaviour under loading–unloading of semicrystalline polymers: Application to a high density polyethylene

In this work, the large deformation behaviour under monotonic loading and unloading of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) is studied. To analyze the nonlinear time-dependent response of the material, mechanical tests were conducted at room temperature under constant true strain rates and stress relaxation conditions. A physically-based inelastic model written under finite strain formulation is proposed to describe the mechanical behaviour of HDPE. In the model, the inelastic mechanisms involve two parallel elements: a visco-hyperelastic network resistance acting in parallel with a viscoelastic–viscoplastic intermolecular resistance where the amorphous and crystalline phases are explicitly taken into consideration. The semicrystalline polymer is considered as a two-phase composite. The influence of the crystallinity on the loading and unloading behaviour is investigated. Numerical results are compared to experimental data. It is shown that the model is able to accurately reproduce the experimental observations corresponding to monotonic loading, unloading and stress relaxation behaviours at different strain levels. Finally, the model capabilities to capture cyclic loading–unloading behaviour up to large strains are discussed. To demonstrate the improved modelling capabilities, simulations are also performed using the original model of Boyce et al. [Boyce, M.C., Socrate, S., Llana, P.G., 2000. Constitutive model for the finite deformation stress–strain behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) above the glass transition. Polymer 41, 2183–2201] modified by Ahzi et al. [Ahzi, S., Makradi, A., Gregory, R.V., Edie, D.D., 2003. Modeling of deformation behavior and strain-induced crystallization in poly(ethylene terephthalate) above the glass transition temperature. Mechanics of Materials 35, 1139–1148].     

On the driving force for crack growth during thermal actuation of shape memory alloys

The effect of thermomechanically induced phase transformation on the driving force for crack growth in polycrystalline shape memory alloys is analyzed in an infinite center-cracked plate subjected to a thermal actuation cycle under mechanical load in plain strain. Finite element calculations are carried out to determine the mechanical fields near the static crack and the crack-tip energy release rate using the virtual crack closure technique. A substantial increase of the energy release rate – an order of magnitude for some material systems – is observed during the thermal cycle due to the stress redistribution induced by large scale phase transformation. Thus, phase transformation occurring due to thermal variations under mechanical load may result in crack growth if the crack-tip energy release rate reaches a material specific critical value.     

形状记忆聚合物力学行为及其物理机制

形状记忆聚合物是一类环境响应主动形变智能软材料,是智能材料与结构领域的新兴研究内容之一。宏观概括其物理和力学行为的研究热点,主要包括三个方面：材料与环境之间的信息交换（如热量、能量等）,主动形变控制（如驱动方法、形变行为本构建模等）,软材料及其结构力学（如相变/转变热力学、复合材料设计等）。形状记忆聚合物的记忆效应源于分子链段本征结构的热运动,受外场激励影响,是分子链段结构（包括构型和构象）松弛行为的宏观表象,遵循Arrhenius定律。本文从物理和力学两方面讨论了形状记忆聚合物的分子链段热力学行为及其熵弹效应、分子结构松弛力学行为、环境效应记忆行为的物理和力学机制,系统地对形状记忆聚合物分子结构本征属性及其物理机理、记忆效应转变机制及其力学内涵、温度记忆效应、多场耦合效应响应行为等热点和难点问题进行了分析和讨论。最后,论文展望了形状记忆聚合物力学行为研究的未来发展方向。