An experimental investigation of the large-strain tensile behavior of neat and rubber-toughened polycarbonate

The large-strain tensile behavior of polycarbonate and polycarbonate filled with several volume fractions ( f) of rubber particles is studied via an optical technique. Digital image correlation is used to determine, in two dimensions, the local displacement gradients and full-field displacements during a uniaxial tension test. Full-field strain contours, macroscopic true stress–strain behavior, and local volumetric strain are reduced from the raw test data. Full-field strain contours exhibit a decreasing degree of localization with increasing f. The true stress–strain results show a decrease in modulus, yield stress, post-yield strain softening, and subsequent strain hardening with increasing f. The volumetric strain decreases with increasing f as well. In the case of the neat polymer, comparisons are made to a three-dimensional finite element simulation.