High Strain-Rate Tensile Testing of Door Trim Materials

The objective of this study was to determine dynamic tensile characteristics of various door trim materials and to recommend a practical test methodology. In this study, Polypropylene (PP) and Acrilonitryl Butadiene Styrene (ABS) door trim materials were tested. Slow speed (quasi-static-0.021 mm/s) and high speed tests were conducted on a closed loop servo-hydraulic MTS system. The maximum stress of these materials increased from quasi-static to dynamic test conditions (as much as 100%). The dynamic stiffness of PP increased two times from quasi-static tests. No significant change in stiffness was observed for ABS during quasi-static and dynamic tests at different strain-rates. Quasi-static and medium strain-rate (10-20 mm/mm/s) tests may be adequate in providing data for characterizing the dynamic behavior of trim materials for CAE applications. Strain gages can be used to measure the quasi-static and in some cases, dynamic strain. Strain gage effect on material properties can be assessed by comparing the maximum stress from tests with and without strain gages.