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Influence of Molecular Conformation on the Constitutive Response of Polyethylene: A Comparison of HDPE, UHMWPE, and PEX

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Abstract

The current work presents the characterization and comparison of the mechanical response of three different industrial forms of polyethylene. Specifically, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) were tested in compression as a function of temperature (−75 to 100°C) and strain-rate (10−4 to 2,600 s−1). The responses of UHMWPE and PEX are very similar, whereas HDPE exhibits some differences. The HDPE samples display a significantly higher yield stress followed by a flat flow behavior. Conversely UHMWPE and PEX both exhibit significant strain hardening after yield. The temperature and strain-rate dependence are captured by simple linear and logarithmic fits over the full range of conditions investigated. The yield behavior is presented in terms of an empirical mapping function that is extended to analytically solve for the mapping constant. The power-law dependence on strain-rate observed in some polymers is explained using this mapping function.

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Acknowledgements

The contributions at LANL were performed under the auspices of the US Department of Energy operated by the Los Alamos National Security LLC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Technology Division, Structure/Property Relations, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS G755, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    E. N. Brown (SEM member), R. B. Willms, G. T. Gray III, P. J. Rae & C. M. Cady

  2. Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA

    K. S. Vecchio & J. Flowers

  3. WT Division, Materials Engineering, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS P941, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    M. Y. Martinez

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  1. E. N. Brown
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Correspondence to E. N. Brown.

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Brown, E.N., Willms, R.B., Gray, G.T. et al. Influence of Molecular Conformation on the Constitutive Response of Polyethylene: A Comparison of HDPE, UHMWPE, and PEX. Exp Mech 47, 381–393 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-007-9045-9

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