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Multiscale modeling of particle-modified polyethylene

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Abstract

A common practice in toughening of semicrystalline polymers is to blend them with second-phase rubber particles. A toughening mechanism has recently been suggested which considers a layer of transcrystallized material around well-dispersed particles. This layer has a reduced yield strength in certain preferentially oriented directions. A multiscale numerical model is used to investigate the effect of such a specific microstructural morphology on the mechanical behavior of voided systems. A polycrystalline model is used for high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix material. The basic structural element in this model is a layered two-phase composite inclusion, comprising both a crystalline and an amorphous domain. The averaged fields of an aggregate of composite inclusions, having either a random or a preferential orientation, form the constitutive behavior of the polymeric matrix material. The anisotropy of material with preferential orientations is determined. The particle-dispersed system is described by finite element RVE models, with in each integration point an aggregate of composite inclusions. Transcrystallized orientations are found to have a limited effect on matrix shear yielding and alter the triaxial stress field. An hypothesized, flow-influenced, microstructure is shown to further improve material properties if loaded in the appropriate direction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dutch Polymer Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    J. A. W. van Dommelen, W. A. M. Brekelmans & F. P. T. Baaijens

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  1. J. A. W. van Dommelen
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  2. W. A. M. Brekelmans
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  3. F. P. T. Baaijens
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van Dommelen, J.A.W., Brekelmans, W.A.M. & Baaijens, F.P.T. Multiscale modeling of particle-modified polyethylene. Journal of Materials Science 38, 4393–4405 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026307821453

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