Finite Element Modeling of the Effect of Strain Rate on the Damage of a Biphasic Copolymer

This numerical modeling study explores the relationship between strain rate and damage caused by the coalescence of a spherical cavity in a polymer blend consisting of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Poly (tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO). Damage induced by cavitation in polymers has significant implications for various industrial applications, including material durability and performance. The study focuses on understanding the impact of strain rate on the initiation and damage induced by cavitation phenomenon as well as plastic flow. The uniqueness of this study lies in introducing a unitary axisymmetric model comprising a single spherical cavity (f0=10%, volumetric fraction) subjected to the stress triaxiality. Our objective is to analyze the coalescence rate of the spherical cavity in this polymer blend under three different strain rates.