Compressive properties of extruded polytetrafluoroethylene

Polymers are becoming increasingly used in aerospace structural applications, where they experience complex, non-static loads. Correspondingly, the mechanical properties at high strain rates are of increasing importance in these applications. This paper presents an investigation of the properties of Dupont 9B polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) across strain rates from 10−3 to 105 s−1. The samples were tested using an Instron mechanical testing machine for static loading, traditional split Hopkinson pressure bars (SHPBs) for high strain rates, and a miniaturized SHPB for ultra-high strain rates. Additionally, the material was tested using dynamic mechanical analysis to determine the effects of time–temperature superposition on the strain rate behavior of the samples. The results of the experiments are analyzed using the Zerilli–Armstrong model for polymers, which shows good agreement with other PTFE studies.