Network models for glassy polymer and prediction of instability propagation

Abstract

The purpose of the present article is to provide a perspective for a network model for glassy polymers and computational predictions of mechanical behavior related to plastic instabilities, such as neck and shear band formation, and their propagation. The constitutive equations developed using the molecular chain network theory are discussed. The computational strategy for the simulation, and neck and shear band propagations in plane strain and under 3D conditions with and without thermomechanically coupled conditions are presented with illustrative examples.