Rate dependence of poly(vinyl chloride), the effects of plasticizer and time–temperature superposition

Four different poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) materials varying in plasticizer content were studied in a combined experimental and analytical investigation including uniaxial compression tests at strain rates ranging from 10 −3 to 10 4 s −1 at room temperature, and temperatures ranging from −115 to 100°C at a rate of 10 −2 s −1 . Additional tests using a dynamic mechanical and thermal analyser were conducted on each PVC material to give a more detailed analysis of temperature and rate dependence. Adjusting the plasticizer content allows the temperature at which transitions, specifically the α-transition, or ‘glass transition’, and β-transition, occur to be moved in order to better examine the interplay of temperature and strain rate dependence. This program of research is then extended to time–temperature superposition where a novel application and interpretation of an established superposition method is presented.