ABSTRACT
Polymers are viscoelastic materials meaning they can act as liquids, the “visco” portion, and as solids, the “elastic” portion. Descriptions of the viscoelastic properties of materials generally fall within the area called rheology. Determination of the viscoelastic behavior of materials generally occurs through stress/strain and related measurements. Whether a material behaves as a “viscous” or “elastic” material depends on temperature, the particular polymer and its prior treatment, polymer structure, and the particular measurement or conditions applied to the material. The particular property demonstrated by a material under given conditions allows polymers to act as solid or viscous liquids, as plastics, elastomers, bers, etc. This chapter deals with the viscoelastic properties of polymers.
