Nanocavitation mechanisms in deformed High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) using synchrotron radiation NanoTomography

The nanocavitation distribution in deformed High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) was investigated. A flat notched sample of HDPE, under steady crosshead speed up to the end stress softening, observed by classical synchrotron parallel beam microtomography and magnified holotomography with a true spatial resolution 0.7 μm 0.05 μm, respectively. Image processing, 3D image segmentation 2D-Fast Fourier Transform, shown lead quantification void volume fraction size distributions. Nanocavitation morphology HDPE reveal be similar cavitation mechanisms other semi-crystalline polymers, but at different scale. While slight decrease diameter seen, from neck shoulder extended region, significant increment height evidenced. Furthermore, results provide compelling evidence transition cavities within test an oblate prolate geometry.