Rate-dependent tensile behavior of polyurea at low strain rates

The mechanical behavior of polyurea is strongly rate sensitive, and having knowledge of its rate dependence is important for the application of polyurea. However, most of the research in this field has focused on compression, especially for low strain rates. Here, a series of large deformation stress-strain measurements were conducted on polyurea in tension in a strain rate region from 5.3×10^-4 to 5.1×10^-2 s^-1. The rate-dependence of the tensile behavior of polyurea is evaluated and compared with that of tensile behavior at intermediate strain rates reported by Roland et al. [Polymer 2007; 48:574-578] and that of compressive behavior at low strain rates reported by Sarva et al. [Polymer 2007; 48:2208-2213]. The results indicate that the effect of strain rate on tensile behavior of polyurea in low and intermediate strain rate regions is similar. The present tensile data are also consistent with recently reported compressive data over the range of strain rates studied.