Dynamic Constitutive Model of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): Considering the Temperature and Strain Rate Effects

The temperature and strain rate significantly affect the ballistic performance of UHMWPE, but the deformation of UHMWPE under thermo-mechanical coupling has been rarely studied. To investigate the influences of the temperature and the strain rate on the mechanical properties of UHMWPE, a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus was used to conduct uniaxial compression experiments on UHMWPE. The stress–strain curves of UHMWPE were obtained at temperatures of 20–100 °C and strain rates of 1300–4300 s(−1). Based on the experimental results, the UHMWPE belongs to viscoelastic–plastic material, and a hardening effect occurs once UHMWPE enters the plastic zone. By comparing the stress–strain curves at different temperatures and strain rates, it was found that UHMWPE exhibits strain rate strengthening and temperature softening effects. By modifying the Sherwood–Frost model, a constitutive model was established to describe the dynamic mechanical properties of UHMWPE at different temperatures. The results calculated using the constitutive model were in good agreement with the experimental data. This study provides a reference for the design of UHMWPE as a ballistic-resistant material.