Experimental and theoretical analysis of both the small- and the large-stress mechanical response of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Abstract

The results of both dynamic mechanical and large-stress plastic deformation experiments performed on poly(methyl methyacrylate) below and through its glass transition temperature are presented. The observed behaviours are successfully compared with the predictions of a molecular theory by Mangion, Cavaillé and Perez, that allows the description of both the low-stress dynamic mechanical response and the large-stress plastic deformation behaviour of amorphous polymers, based on a unique set of equations.