Experimentation and modeling of the tension behavior of polycarbonate at high strain rates

A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behavior of polycarbonate (PC) under high-rate loadings is essential for better design of PC products. In this work, the mechanical behavior of PC is studied during tensile loading at high strain rates, using a split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB). A modified experimental technique based on the SHTB is proposed to perform the tension testing on PC at rates exceeding 1000 s^-1. The effect of strain rates on the tension stress-strain law of PC is investigated over a wide range of strain rates (0.0005-4500 s^-1). Based on the experiments, a physically based constitutive model is developed to describe the strain rate dependent tensile stress-strain law. The high rate tensile deformation mechanics of PC are further studied via finite element simulations using the LSDYNA code together with the developed constitutive model.