Mechanical Behavior of Rubber at High Strain Rates

Methods to obtain the mechanical response of rubber at high rates of strain are reviewed. These techniques include the extrapolation of low strain, low strain rate data, the limitations of which are discussed, extrapolations to elevated hydrostatic pressure, and direct determinations using split Hopkinson bar and drop weight testers, as well as miscellaneous methods. Some applications involving rubber at strain rates sufficient to induce a transition to the glassy state are described.