Modeling for time-dependant mechanical behavior of polymers close to glass transition: fundamentals and experimental validation

Abstract : The development of structural applications for polymers or for polymer based composites is now highly demanding for relevant dimensioning protocols and simulations, especially when fatigue behaviour is concerned. One specific trend in composites is to take advantage of micro-mechanics approaches. In consequence, one of the key issues, whatever the material is compounded or not, is our ability to model mechanical behaviour of polymers matrix. Very often the domain of use of such materials cover a range of temperature close to glass transition of the matrix, which allow a minimum toughening effects. So the true demand are constitutive models for polymers in their viscoelastic range over a wide range of temperatures and strain-rates.