Experimentally simulating high-rate behaviour: rate and temperature effects in polycarbonate and PMMA

This paper presents results from applying a recently developed technique for experimentally simulating the high-rate deformation response of polymers. The technique, which uses low strain rate experiments with temperature profiles to replicate high-rate behaviour, is here applied to two amorphous polymers, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate, thereby complementing previously obtained data from plasticized polyvinyl chloride. The paper presents comparisons of the mechanical data obtained in the simulation, as opposed to those observed under high-rate loading. Discussion of these data, and the temperature profile required to produce them, gives important information about yield and post-yield behaviour in these materials.