An experimental investigation of the large-strain tensile behavior of neat and rubber-toughened polycarbonate

The large-strain tensile behavior of polycarbonate and polycarbonate filled with several volume fractions (f) of rubber particles is studied via an optical technique. Digital image correlation is used to determine, in two dimensions, the local displacement gradients and full-field displacements during a uniaxial tension test. Full-field strain contours, macroscopic true stress-strain behavior, and local volumetric strain are reduced from the raw test data. Full-field strain contours exhibit a decreasing degree of localization with increasing f. The true stress-strain results show a decrease in modulus, yield stress, post-yield strain softening, and subsequent strain hardening with increasing f. The volumetric strain decreases with increasing f as well. In the case of the neat polymer, comparisons are made to a three-dimensional finite element simulation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.