A STATE-VARIABLE MODEL FOR HIGH-STRENGTH POLYMERS

Displacement controlled experiments on nylon 66, poly(etherether ketone), and poly(ether imide) at room temperature suggest that nonlinear elasticity is not a good model for these polymers. Rather, qualitative evidence is presented that a state variable model shows promise. In this model, the rate of deformation is the sum of the elastic and the inelastic rates of deformation. The elastic rate of deformation is given by an objective formulation of Hooke's law, and the inelastic deformation is an increasing function of the overstress, the difference between the Cauchy stress and the equilibrium stress. The equilibrium stress is a state variable, and represents the stress that can be sustained at rest following deformation. Load controlled tests, intended to verify or falsify the model, show that the creep rate at the same stress level can be different on loading and unloading, and that the creep rate need not increase with an increase in creep stress level. These anomalous results can easily be explained by the introduction of the overstress concept, and by proper evolution of the equilibrium stress. They confirm the usefulness of the overstress concept for the modeling of these polymers.