Experimental and Numerical Measurement of the Impact Strength of Poly-lactic Acid through a Low-velocity Impact

Abstract This paper presents the results obtained through experimental work and numerical simulation of the kinetic energy dissipation of lactic acid after application of the impact load. The experimental tests were performed according to ASTM standards using the motion drop arrow test. It has been designed according to the standard ASTMD7136.The specimens were plates completely constrained with two edges by the clamping fixture. Two energy absorption parameters (namely saturation impact energy and damage degree), and two relevant characteristic values of the impact force history (namely the first damage force and the maximum force) were included. The impact energy of 2.4 J was measured by the difference in the thickness mode. The finite element method was used by FE symbol (Abaqus/Explicit Dynamic) implemented by a User Defined Sub routine (VUMAT). The results showed areas of shock injury and sample tolerance, and there was a match between the experimental and numerical results. Diagrams are presented to show the history of relevant kinematical, dynamic and energetic quantities, both to synthesize the dependency of the energy parameters and force threshold values on the impact velocity. This study will help to measure the absorbed and kinetic energy of polymers, thus, it will help define the properties of polymers used in critical applications such as medicine.