Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

10-31-1983

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Richard C. Progelhof

Second Advisor

Benedict C. Sun

Third Advisor

Bernard Koplik

Abstract

The constant velocity high speed impact study was conducted on different thermoplastic and thermoset structural foam plaques to study their impact behavior. Plaques of Noryl, Polycarbonate, Polystyrene and Polyurethane were carefully chosen to represent a true sample of the manufactured product. Test plaques were marked such that specimens could be tested for variation in location, thickness of the plaque and variation between plaques. High speed puncture impact experiment was conducted on each specimen and the results were analysed.

The test results showed that the impact performance varied significantly over the plaque. Noryl and Polycarbonate did not exhibit any correlation for its impact characteristics with respect to its material properties. Both Polystyrene and Polyurethane failed in a brittle manner and the energy to fracture was satisfactorily correlated with a power law relationship. All the material tested showed that its impact characteristics had high degree of dependence upon the bubble size and bubble distribution directly below the point of impact, which is a factor controlled by the processing variables. The variables could be molding conditions and gate position for filling the mold.

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