Non-linear approach in visco-hyperelastic constitutive modelling of polyurethane nanocomposite

Abstract

The constitutive modelling of the polyurethane nanocomposite presented in the paper is done in the context of its possible application as one of the components of the intervertebral disc prosthesis. The constitutive study is a part of the researches aiming at creation of the new prosthetic device. The material is considered as incompressible, isotropic and visco-hyperelastic one. The focus of the work lies on the formulation of a constitutive equation for its further implementation in finite element analyses. The equation is formulated on the basis of uniaxial monotonic compression tests and relaxation tests performed at room temperature. The constants of the constitutive model are determined from the experimental data by means of the curve-fitting approach employing least-squares optimisation method. The constitutive modelling consisted of two steps. In the first one pure hyperelastic model was determined. The Mooney-Rivlin model proved to be the best one to describe hyperelastic behaviour of the material. In the second step non-linear visco-hyperelastic model was derived. Relaxation times, characteristic amplitudes and Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic constants were calibrated on the basis of strain-stress curves (hysteresis loops) obtained experimentally at three strain rates, i.e. λ̊ = 0.1 min-1, λ̊ = 1 min-1 and λ̊ = 10 min-1. The constitutive law is validated on the basis of relaxation test. The paper concludes with summary and plans for further investigations in the area. © 2013 The Author(s).