Rate‐dependent mechanical response of polypropylene nonwovens

Abstract

Most nonwoven products are subjected to a variety of loading rates ranging from low-speed quasi-static loads to high-speed dynamic loads during their life cycles. Understanding their response to a wide range of loading rates is critical to proper usage and effects how rapidly one can process them. In this work quasi-static to high strain rate experiments (10 À3 to 100 to 400 strain/s) are investigated. The results from analyzing the rate-dependent properties show an increase in the strength and modulus accompanied by a reduced strain to failure in nonwovens as the strain rate increases. Higher basis weight samples showed more prominent rate-dependent properties across all loading rates and fiber orientations. Ductile to brittle transition in the material failure mechanisms were observed. The specimens with rectangular and circular bonding