A combined theoretical/experimental study on the deformation behavior of high strength polymeric solids is proposed. The mechanical testing machine capable of exerting uniaxial as well as biaxial loading paths with controlled loading rates. The time-dependent behavior manifested by creep, relaxation and rate sensitivity is of great interest here. Initially we want to complete a uniaxial study of high strength nylon and concurrent microstructural investigations such as x-ray diffraction studies. A fixture to accommodate tubular specimens subjected to axial, torsional and internal pressure loading will be designed and built. Then a new test material will be chosen, preferably from the class of polymeric, anisotropic, liquid crystals such as Xydar or Vectra, on which uniaxial and biaxial testing and microstructural investigations are contemplated. In the theoretical part we propose to model the finite mechanical deformation behavior using state variable theories consisting of coupled nonlinear differential equations. The aim of the research is to combine synergistically phenomenological experiments, microstructural investigations and continuum mechanics to arrive at a mathematical model of the polymeric solid.
