Micromechanisms of deformation and fracture of polypropylene nonwoven fabrics

The micromechanisms of deformation and fracture in tension were analyzed in a commercial polypropylene nonwoven geotextile material in a wide range of strain rates. Two different loading scenarios (smooth and notched specimens) were considered to study how these mechanisms are modified in presence of a stress concentration. The nonwoven fabric presented significant deformability and energy-absorption capability, which decreased with the strain rate, together with a high level of strength, which increased with strain rate. In addition, the material was notch-insensitive as the stress concentration around the crack tip was relieved by marked nonlinear behavior, which induced crack blunting. Different experimental techniques (standard mechanical tests, in situ testing within the scanning electron microscope, digital image correlation, etc.) were used to establish the sequence of deformation and failure processes and to link these micromechanisms with the macroscopic behavior.