Large-deformation behavior of honeycomb-structured polymer sheets as a function of polar angle

Abstract

To construct the structure/property relationships of patterned polymer architectures depending on symmetry, the large-deformation behavior of 2D HSPS with respect to the polar angle was studied. Holes aligned along the HSPS apex were more effective in decreasing tensile force and reducing stress concentration than those located along the plane. On varying the polar angle from 0 to 30°, the tensile force fluctuated up and down like an undamped negative sinusoidal wave with a wavelength of 15°. Additionally, molecular orientations of HSPS were monitored in situ. By comparing experimental measurements with computer simulations, it was concluded that the tensile force depends on the number of holes as well as the orientation of the axes of the honeycomb structure. It is demonstrated that the tensile force of HSPS depends on the number of holes as well as the orientation of the honeycomb axes. The introduction of defects around the location of stress concentraton is effective in releasing the stress. These results may facilitate the design and fabrication of tunable smart materials. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.