Multiscale description and prediction of the thermomechanical behavior of multilayered plasticized PVC under a wide range of strain rate

Plasticization of polymers largely contributed to their worldwide utilization, especially for automotive crashworthiness, by making them a more ductile material. For such applications, a clear understanding of the mechanical properties evolution over a large range of strain rate and temperature is needed. In this study, we investigate a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) manufactured through a multilayered process for the automotive industry. Analysis of the microstructure before and after mechanical testing, at different temperature and strain rate, highlighted the presence of sodium aluminosilicate within material microstructure. After thermal degradation analysis, these particles seem to be the only one to remain at high temperature. Moreover, it is important to mention that for the possible applications of this material, the temperature range is around the glass transition region leading. Thus, careful attention should be focused on the evolution of the material properties and on the way to model them. Numerical prediction of the storage modulus and yield stress using homemade models show a good agreement with the experimental data. More, these models will make reliable the use of these materials over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates that are difficult to obtain by experience, such as intermediate strain rates between quasi-static and dynamic loading.