Packaging industries widely use Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in manufacturing different types of containers to store the food products. They are difficult to model numerically in order to have similar experimental response. This research deals with the study of numerical material model parameters of continuum LDPE. It is carried out with the help of experiments along with the numerical simulation of LDPE. Study of stress-strain distribution at crack tip and elements close to the tip is carried out in the LDPE material with the pre-existing center crack with varying lengths. By implementing an optimization algorithm and automating the simulation with the help of python code, we obtain a set of parameters. This obtained data for the material can be used directly for numerical simulation in the future without carrying out additional experimental studies. After implementing the optimization algorithm is also validated, against the results that were close to the experimental response.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has recently been recognized as a threat to the biosphere including humans due to its widespread distribution, persistent nature and infinitesimal size. This study focused on the solid phase degradation of microplastic residues (particularly low density polyethylene, LDPE) in water through heterogeneous photocatalysis process by designed photocatalysts of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) and platinum nanoparticles deposited on zincoxide nanorods (Pt NPs-ZnO NRs) under visible light irradiation. These photocatalysts were assessed following standard protocol (ISP 10678: 2010), and characterized using SEM, EDX andoptical spectroscopies (UV-VIS and PL). Deposition of Pt-NPs on ZnO NRs for certain minutes has been found optimum that enhanced the photodegradation process about 38% under UV irradiation and 16.5% under visible light irradiation by improving of both electrons-holes pair separation process and visible light absorption. Photocatalytic degradation of LDPE films was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), optical and electron microscopes. When LDPE film irradiated in presence of Pt-ZnO, degradation was found quicker than ZnO alone of similar concentration which exhibited formation of a large number of wrinkles, cracks and cavities on the film surface. Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) test indicated stiffness and embrittlement of exposed LDPE films in presence of photocatalysts. Thus, the present work provides a new insight about modified catalysts for the degradation of microplastics in water using visible light.

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In current enterprises, simulations are being utilized to lessen the cost of product advancement.  Along this line, there is an awesome enthusiasm for enhancing precision and accuracy of simulations. For an accurate and reliable simulation, it is essential to use an accurate material model and provide it with accurate material information. In exhibit industries, orthotropic materials are being simulated utilizing isotropic material model, as orthotropic material model requires more material data which is not promptly accessible. This proposal intends to test and identify orthotropic materials and simulate them using orthotropic material model in ABAQUS. Materials utilized as a part of this proposal are Aluminium, LDPE, PET. Required material data was gotten by performing Uni-directional tensile tests, DIC, and an algorithm we developed in light of Inverses method. To get highly accurate material data from DIC, a few kinds of patterns were examined, and a superior pattern was resolved for camera configuration being utilized.

This thesis is intended to identify the mode I and mode II fracture toughness to characterize the thin laminate interface by using the Double Cantilever Beam test (DCB) and End Notched Flexure test (ENF). This study’s thin laminate was Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-Density Polyethylene (PET-LDPE), which is mostly used by packaging industries in the manufacturing of packages to store liquid food. As PET-LDPE film is very flexible and difficult to handle, DCB and ENF tests cannot be performed directly so, sheet metal (Aluminium) was used as carrier material. PET-LDPE film is placed between two aluminum plates to reduce the flexibility and perform the tests. Therefore, the Aluminium plate was also studied to find the constitutive parameters (young’s modulus (E) and mixed hardening parameters (Plastic properties)) under the tensile test and three-point bending test. From the test response, energy release rate calculation has been done for different Pre-crack lengths to validate the DCB and ENF experimental setup, study the different Pre-crack lengths, and characterize the laminate interface. Finite Element simulation (FE simulation) for those tests were carried out in AbaqusTM2020. When needed, the force versus displacement response from FE simulation was optimized against experimental response to find the required constitutive parameters (Young’s modulus, Hardening parameters, and PET-LDPE material properties). Implementing of optimization algorithm and automated simulation has been done with the help of MATLAB code. In contrast, MATLAB works as a server, and Abaqus works as a client and connected two interfaces to run the optimization. The results obtained from experiments and FE simulations were compared to the results found in the literature.