Tuesday  |  Salon 13  |  04:00 PM–04:20 PM

#16049, Intermediate Strain Rate Behavior of a Polymer-Particle Composite with High Solids Loading

The deformation and fracture behaviors of polymer-particle composites with high solids loadings (≥80% wt.) are dependent on the pressure-dependent viscoelasticity of the polymer, the fracture strength of the particle, and the bonding strength at the polymer-particle interfaces. By performing dynamic compression experiments at intermediate strain rates (< 2000 1/s) deformation regimes dominated by characteristics of the polymer, particle, or their interfaces are explored. Composite polymer-particle samples are fabricated by curing polydimethylsiloxane and either silica sand or sodium chloride in a mold at elevated temperature and pressure. To characterize the as-fabricated samples, we present data of particle strength through quasi-static, uniaxial, confined compression experiments and data of the composite stress-strain behavior through quasi-static and uniaxial compression experiments. A new split Hopkinson pressure bar facility has been installed at the Turbomachinery Laboratory Center at Texas A&M University and is used to compress these polymer-particle composites at intermediate strain rates. Preliminary testing across a range of intermediate strain rates provides an initial assessment of bulk deformation and fracture behavior.

Mark Luke   Texas A&M University
Marcia Cooper   Texas A&M University