Tensile behaviour of polyethylene under different loading rates in the presence of imperfections

Abstract

This paper highlights the changes of polyethylene behaviour during various loading rates. The experimental programme was carried out on samples taken from PE80 polyethylene gas pipes with simulated imperfections with bilateral V-notch, U-notch and central hole. The hybrid technique tensile test - infrared test was used for examining the fracture behaviour of PE80 thermoplastic material samples under different loading rates. Correlation between the loading rate and tensile strength of polyethylene has been established. It has been shown that tensile strength varies with loading rate according to a logarithmic law. Also, it was shown that viscoelastic-plastic character of the polymer material influences directly the specific response of material to loading rates.