Strain rate dependent multiaxial characterization of long fiber reinforced plastic

Long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) were characterized for automotive applications with high rate experiments in a range of strain rate from 10−3s−1 up to 102s−1. High-speed video imaging with digital image correlation (DIC) and a high-speed infra-red camera are applied to investigate the strain and temperature development during four different testing types. Different states of stress were investigated to provide adequate input data for simulation. A new fracture initiation criterion is introduced. Nearly pure shear load could be reached with a specifically designed specimen. It was found that global deformations rise with the strain rate, while local strains decrease. The adiabatic temperature-rise enlarges the deformation zone, impedes strain localization and leads to higher energy absorption at higher strain rates.