An analysis of impact-induced deformation and fracture modes in amorphous glassy polymers

The finite deformation response of a planar block of polymer material subject to impact loading is analyzed using two constitutive models for glassy polymers, a reference Drucker–Prager type model and a physics-based macromolecular model, supplemented by a phenomenological model for craze initiation and widening. Full transient finite element analyses are carried out using a Lagrangian formulation of the field equations. The analyses allow an assessment of possible failure mechanisms under dynamic loading and the ability of the different models to predict such behavior. The results highlight the effect of the stress–strain behavior of polymers, notably the post-yield softening and large strain hardening, on localization of plastic flow. This behavior is adequately captured only by the macromolecular model.