High strain rate mechanical behavior of polyurea

Stress–strain measurements are reported for an elastomeric polyurea in uniaxial tension over a range of strain rates from 0.06 to 573 s−1. The experiments were carried out on a new drop weight test instrument, which provides mechanical data at strain rates up to 1000 s−1, filling the gap between conventional low speed instruments and split Hopkinson bar tests. The tensile data obtained herein are compared with recent high strain rate compression data on the same material [Yi et al. Polymer 2006;47:319–29]. Advantages of the present measurements include a more uniform strain rate and the ability to ensure homogeneous strain.