The macroscopic volume changes of selected polymers subjected to uniform tensile deformation

Abstract

High density polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were subjected to uniaxial tensile deformation up to the onset of instability or necking. Simultaneous readings of longitudinal extension and transverse contraction (width and thickness) were obtained continuously during the loading period. From these data, plots of longitudinal versus “average” transverse strain were produced and it was found that the trends were neither constant nor linear over the full strain range employed. Additional plots of per cent volume change versus longitudinal strain indicate that the PMMA and PC show a maximum volume increase of about 0.6% while PE shows a maximum volume decrease on the order of 2.5%. Similar volume decreases have been noted by others and it would appear that structural changes are the most likely cause of this behavior.