Effect of Multiaxial Tensile Deformation on the Mechanical Properties of Semiflexible Polymeric Samples

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the mechanical properties of the semiflexible polymer during multiaxial tensile deformations. The multiaxial tensile deformations can be imposed in totally or partially constrained modes. These types of deformations may be observed during the sudden deformation of polymeric material in the areas of aerospace, automobile, defense applications, etc. It is found that the constrained multiaxial deformation leads to the formation of nanovoids into the polymer sample. The high Young's modulus and yield strength for the totally constrained modes of tensile deformation are due to the energy required to create voids. The variation in von Misses stress, void volume, and bond order parameter with strain indicates the occurrence of brittle fracture during totally constrained tensile deformations. The partially constrained tensile deformations lead to the improvement in bond order parameter and lesser creation of nanovoids within the system. The system shows the characteristic strain hardening before failures.