Use of Taylor rod-on-anvil impact experiments to investigate high strain rate behavior in polyolefins

Taylor rod-on-anvil impact experiments have been performed on a range of polyolefins. At impact velocity greater than ~250 m/s there are significant differences observed in the deformation behavior between the four polymers, which cannot be explained based on current understanding. During the initial stages of impact, mechno-luminescence is observed in all polymers and at all impact velocities. The location and length scale of this luminescence is consistent with the observed location of temperature increases that approach, and in some instances, exceed the melt point of the polymers.