A Simple Model for the Deformation-Induced Relaxation of Glassy Polymers
Soft Condensed Matter
2015-05-30 v1
Abstract
Glassy polymers show strain hardening: at constant extensional load, their flow first accelerates, then arrests. Recent experiments have found this to be accompanied by a striking and unexplained dip in the segmental relaxation time. Here we explain such behavior by combining a minimal model of flow-induced liquefaction of a glass, with a description of the stress carried by strained polymers, creating a non-factorable interplay between aging and strain-induced rejuvenation. Under constant load, liquefaction of segmental motion permits strong flow that creates polymer-borne stress. This slows the deformation enough for the segmental modes to re-vitrify, causing strain hardening.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1110.4028,
title = {A Simple Model for the Deformation-Induced Relaxation of Glassy Polymers},
author = {S. M. Fielding and R. G. Larson and M. E. Cates},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1110.4028},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
9 pages, 5 figures