A cell model study of crazing and matrix plasticity in rubber-toughened glassy polymers

The competition between crazing and matrix shear yielding in rubber-toughened glassy polymers is investigated by detailed finite element simulations. To this end the microstructure is represented by an axisymmetric unit cell of glassy matrix containing a single cavitated rubber particle which is modeled as a void. The behavior of the matrix material is described in the framework of finite strain viscoplasticity while a cohesive surface model is employed for crazing. The influence of the matrix yield behavior, the craze response, the rubber content, and the overall loading state are analyzed.