Dynamic properties and plastic dissipative mechanisms of polymeric adhesive under dynamic compression at various strain rates

Abstract

This work investigated the dynamic compression behavior of structural vinylester adhesive under dynamic compression tests using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars technique. The obtained results showed that the dynamic parameters were strain rate sensitive. No macroscopic damage was observed in the specimen at the different applied strain rates. However, the presence of a characteristic second peak mainly at high strain rates on the strain rate profiles was attributed to the plasticity occurrence in the polymer under impact. The non-linear response that appeared on the stress-strain curves of the adhesive had been attributed to the combined material softening and thermal softening. These results demonstrated that the studied adhesive could be considered a potential material for high-rate applications due to the combination of significant toughness with high strength and extensive plasticity. An energetic study determined the energy balance and quantified energy absorption. It was observed that used vinylester adhesive was suitable for dynamic applications because it could absorb a large amount of energy and undergo large compressive deformations without damage. This work provided a complete range of experimental data for structural adhesive, which could help the designer of an energy-absorbing adhesively bonded composite joint structure for high-strain rate applications.