INVESTIGATION INTO DOUBLE YIELD POINTS IN POLYETHYLENE

The effects of branching on the yield of polyethylene have been investigated using three polyethylene samples with differing degrees of short-chain branching. The experimental results have shown the existence of double yield points for all three samples. The double yield points are evident from the shapes of the stress-strain curves obtained for the three samples over a range of temperatures. Measurement of the residual strains of the samples as a function of the level of maximum strain applied under constant elongation rate test show that the first yield point marks the onset of 'plastic strains' which are slowly recoverable at least in part. Deformation beyond the second yield point is effectively irrecoverable and is associated with a sharp necking of the samples. The yield points are interpreted mechanically as the yield of two dashpots and the model used to describe the yield is of two non-linear Maxwell elements in parallel. Transient dip experiments have been used to separate the stress-strain curves of the individual arms and these confirm that the two arms do yield at different strains.