A cell model study of crazing and matrix plasticity in rubber-toughened glassy polymers

The competition between crazing and matrix shear yielding in rubber-toughened glassy polymers is investigated by detailed finite element simulations. To this end the microstructure is represented by an axisymmetric unit cell of glassy matrix containing a single cavitated rubber particle which is modeled as a void. The behavior of the matrix material is described in the framework of finite strain viscoplasticity, while a cohesive surface model is employed for crazing. The influence of the matrix yield behavior, the craze response, the rubber content, and the overall loading state are analyzed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.