Experimental characterisation and modelling of sugar-filled supramolecular polyurethane

In this work, a reusable supramolecular polyurethane was mixed with sugar particles to produce a model composite material with different particle sizes or volume fractions, which were subsequently characterised and modelled. Large strain mechanical properties of the material were analysed in compression at strain rates up to approximately 1800 s-1. A model was developed that combined the known viscoelastic response of the polyurethane with filler reinforcement and strain activated damage equations calibrated against quasi-static experiments. The model provided a good prediction of the high strain rate behaviour.