Time and temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of polystyrene bead foam

Tensile and compressive properties of polystyrene bead (PSB) foams at room temperature for strain rates from 10 −3 to 10 5 min −1 can be represented as nearly linearly increasing functions of modulus or stress versus the logarithm of the strain rate. The shear modulus and tensile data, including failure properties, on 0.054 g/cc PSB foam at various temperatures and strain rates can be represented by master curves of log (stress or modulus) versus log (reduced strain rate). These master curves are formed by a time and temperature superposition method, wherein data at one temperature are superposed on data at another temperature by a shift along the log (strain rate) axis. These time–temperature shift factors are calculated using a form of the Arrhenius equation.