The high-rate response of an elastomer

It is important to understand the response of polymers to rapid loading. They are used in a variety of applications in the automotive and aerospace industries in which they are designed to absorb impact. The response of elastomers has been little studied at high rate, and this work aims to address this deficiency. In particular, the Hugoniot of the material is investigated using plate-impact experiments, measuring the stress at varying positions to determine the shock- and the stress-particle velocity state. Secondly, the shear strength of polychloroprene is explored using embedded lateral stress gauges. From these measurements, the shear strength has been determined as a direct experimental variable, and its variation with shock stress deduced. The mechanical response of the material is assessed in relation to other polymers studied.