Continuum approach for modeling fatigue in amorphous glassy polymers. Applications to the investigation of damage-ratcheting interaction in polycarbonate

In this article, we propose an approach suitable for modeling isothermal fatigue in amorphous polymers. The theory is formulated in a rate form within continuum mechanics framework without the need to measure damage changes per loading cycles. Using the approach, contribution of ratcheting to fatigue of polycarbonate (PC) was investigated and the results were compared to previous experimental observations. When subjected to uniaxial stress-controlled cyclic loadings, ratcheting deformation apparently occurs and increases with mean stress and amplitude. The development of ratcheting deformation shows an initial growth followed by a decrease to almost a constant growth rate which occupies majority of the total lifetime. Ratcheting behavior under multiaxial stress states was also investigated based on finite element analyses of a dogbone-shaped test specimen. The results show that fatigue damage develops at the sites following closely the localized plastic deformation and increases with ratcheting deformation during cyclic loadings. The results indicate that the ratcheting behavior can be exploited in the evaluation of the entire fatigue lifetime. •An approach suitable for modeling fatigue in amorphous polymers is proposed.•Contribution of ratcheting to fatigue of polycarbonate (PC) was investigated.•Model results indicate that ratcheting apparently occurs and increases with plastic deformations, mean and amplitude stress.•Finite element simulations show that fatigue damage develops at the sites following closely localized plastic deformation.•Development of ratcheting strain resembles closely damage evolution and can be exploited in the evaluation of fatigue life.