Analysis of Viscoelastic Properties

Jessica Patz

Outline
Viscoelasticity Mechanical Models
Maxwell Model Kelvin-Voigt Model Burgers Model Generalized Models Comparison

Experimental Methods
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Thermomechanical Analysis

Summery

Viscoelasticity
Behavior exhibited by a material that has both viscous and elastic elements in its response to a deformation or load Represented by:
Dashpot for viscous element. Follows Newtonian fluid constitutive law

Spring for elastic element

Assumed to linearly elastic

Maxwell Model
Represented by a purely viscous damper and a purely elastic spring connected in series The model can be represented by the following equation:

Predicts that stress decays exponentially with time

Stress relaxation experiment

Model doesnt accurately predict creep (constant stress). Predicts that strain will increase linearly with time. Actually strain rate decreases with time

Kelvin-Voigt Model
Represented by a Newtonian damper and Hookean elastic spring in parallel. The model can be expressed as a linear first order differential equation:

Represents a solid undergoing reversible, viscoelastic strain. At constant stress (creep), predicts strain to tend to /E as time continues to infinity The model is less accurate with relaxation in a material

Creep and recovery response

Burgers Model
Four elements used to capture minimum amount of behavior for a polymer which are: Instantaneous elasticity or elastic recovery (G1) Molecular slip (1) Rubbery elasticity (G2) Retarded elasticity (2) Modeled as a Maxwell in series with a Kelvin-Voigt

Creep and recovery response

Generalized Models
Generalized Maxwell model is Maxwell elements in parallel

Generalized KelvinVoigt model is KelvinVoigt elements in series

The choice of model is primarily a matter of convenience

Model Comparison
Maxwell Good for predicting stress relaxation Poor at predicting creep Used for soft solids (materials close to the melting point Kelvin-Voigt Good for predicting creep Not accurate with predicting stress relaxation Used for organic polymers, rubber, wood when the load is not too high Burgers Predicts essentials of polymer viscoelastic behavior Used for polymers Generalized Used for fitting of experimental data to an arbitrary accuracy

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

DMA is the measurement of mechanical response of a material as it is deformed under periodic stress DMA can measure the following viscoelastic properties Modulus and strength (relates to elastic properties) Viscosity (different stress and strain rates) Damping characteristics Low and high temp. characteristics Stress relaxation and stress relaxation modulus Creep Used because all the variables can be changed and controlled

Thermomechanical Analysis
TMA can measure viscosity, gel time, and stress strain properties

Gel time is the point at which the material can no longer flow. Using a parallel plate configuration, dimensional changes can be converted to gel time and other viscoelastic values
Fiber stress strain measurements are measured in a fiber probe configuration.
Measurement of fiber stress/strain properties by TMA

Summery
Many models can be used for mechanical representation of viscoelastic materials. The right one should be chosen based on the material being observed and what properties are being observed. DMA is usually used for analysis of viscoelastic properties because of variable control