Physical mechanics of Industrial Polymers – MPI

Main objectives of the team

The objective of the team is to understand, characterize and model the mechanical behavior of polymers and composites from their solid to their rubbery states. This strategy is based on experimental methods and research equipment at the interface between mechanics and physics of polymers.

Relationship between process conditions and microstructure evolution is one of our main research axes. One application is for instance stretch blow molding and thermoforming processes.

Team's activity is also focused on the development and improvement of macroscopic physically based models used in finite element codes. The team develops multi-scale strategies through microstructure modeling to better understand structure-property relationships.

The different lines of research

Experimental mechanics applied to polymers: from the process ( e.g. extracting specimens in relation with specific microstructures) to final properties

• At the solid state: thermomechanical behavior, material performance and lifetime
• At the rubbery and viscous state: Stretching process; welding; additive manufacturing

Mechanical/microstructural coupling and microstructures evolutions

• Relation process– properties
• Control of microstructure and texturation under stretching
• Dimensional stability

Physically-based modeling and digital mechanics

• Development / improvement of macroscopic models established in a thermodynamic framework
• Taking into account thermo-hydro-… -mechanical coupling
• Improvement of existing models
• Development of multi-scale strategies: modeling of the microstructure and structure-property relationships

Examples of research work