Effects of strain rate on PMMA failure behavior

Abstract

Quasi-static and dynamic loading tests were conducted on three types of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) specimens using a universal material testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar to examine the effects of strain rate on PMMA failure behavior. Three types of PMMA specimens, i.e., a cylinder specimen with no beveled ends, a hat specimen, and cylinder specimens with beveled ends of different angles were applied to obtain the PMMA compression, shear, and combined shear–compression strengths. Results showed that PMMA failure stresses increased with the strain rate. Furthermore, the dynamic failure loci in the shear-normal stress space could be well described by an elliptical macroscopic failure criterion and expansion became nearly isotropic as the strain rate increased. The compression tests applied to the three types of PMMA specimens were effective methods to investigate the yield surface of PMMA experimentally over a wide range of strain rates.