One of the principal objects of theoretical research in any department of knowledge is to find the point of view from which the subject appears in its greatest simplicity. J. Willard Gibbs This book is an outgrowth of lectures I have given, on and off over some sixteen years, in graduate courses at the California Institute of Technology, and, in abbreviated form, elsewhere. It is, nevertheless, not meant to be a textbook. I have aimed at a full exposition of the phenomenological theory of linear viscoelastic behavior for the use of the practicing scientist or engineer as well as the academic teacher or student. The book is thus primarily a reference work. In accord with the motto above, I have chosen to describe the theory of linear viscoelastic behavior through the use of the Laplace transformation. The treatment oflinear time-dependent systems in terms of the Laplace transforms of the relations between the excitation add response variables has by now become commonplace in other fields. With some notable exceptions, it has not been widely used in viscoelasticity. I hope that the reader will find this approach useful.

The Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics documents both the traditional techniques as well as the new methods for experimental studies of materials, components, and structures. The emergence of new materials and new disciplines, together with the escalating use of on- and off-line computers for rapid data processing and the combined use of experimental and numerical techniques have greatly expanded the capabilities of experimental mechanics. New exciting topics are included on biological materials, MEMS and NEMS, nanoindentation, digital photomechanics, photoacoustic characterization, and atomic force microscopy in experimental solid mechanics. Presenting complete instructions to various areas of experimental solid mechanics, guidance to detailed expositions in important references, and a description of state-of-the-art applications in important technical areas, this thoroughly revised and updated edition is an excellent reference to a widespread academic, industrial, and professional engineering audience.

Viscoelastic behavior reflects the combined viscous and elastic responses, under mechanical stress, of materials which are intermediate between liquids and solids in character. Polymers the basic materials of the rubber and plastic industries and important to the textile, petroleum, automobile, paper, and pharmaceutical industries as well exhibit viscoelasticity to a pronounced degree. Their viscoelastic properties determine the mechanical performance of the final products of these industries, and also the success of processing methods at intermediate stages of production. Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers examines, in detail, the effects of the many variables on which the basic viscoelastic properties depend. These include temperature, pressure, and time; polymer chemical composition, molecular weight and weight distribution, branching and crystallinity; dilution with solvents or plasticizers; and mixture with other materials to form composite systems. With guidance by molecular theory, the dependence of viscoelastic properties on these variables can be simplified by introducing certain ancillary concepts such as the fractional free volume, the monomeric friction coefficient, and the spacing between entanglement loci, to provide a qualitative understanding and in many cases a quantitative prediction of how to achieve desired results. The phenomenological theory of viscoelasticity which permits interrelation of the results of different types of experiments is presented first, with many useful approximation procedures for calculations given. A wide variety of experimental methods is then described, with critical evaluation of their applicability to polymeric materials of different consistencies and in different regions of the time scale (or, for oscillating deformations, the frequency scale). A review of the present state of molecular theory follows, so that viscoelasticity can be related to the motions of flexible polymer molecules and their entanglements and network junctions. The dependence of viscoestic properties on temperature and pressure, and its descriptions using reduced variables, are discussed in detail. Several chapters are then devoted to the dependence of viscoelastic properties on chemical composition, molecular weight, presence of diluents, and other features, for several characteristic classes of polymer materials. Finally, a few examples are given to illustrate the many potential applications of these principles to practical problems in the processing and use of rubbers, plastics, and fibers, and in the control of vibration and noise. The third edition has been brought up to date to reflect the important developments, in a decade of exceptionally active research, which have led to a wider use of polymers, and a wider recognition of the importance and range of application of viscoelastic properties. Additional data have been incorporated, and the book s chapters on dilute solutions, theory of undiluted polymers, plateau and terminal zones, cross-linked polymers, and concentrated solutions have been extensively rewritten to take into account new theories and new experimental results. Technical managers and research workers in the wide range of industries in which polymers play an important role will find that the book provides basic information for practical applications, and graduate students in chemistry and engineering will find, in its illustrations with real data and real numbers, an accessible introduction to the principles of viscoelasticity.

This series of volumes constitutes an outstanding collection of contributions by the most active research workers in the area of acoustics and mechanics. It brings the reader up to date on the status of the various aspects of research in this field. The volumes should preserve their value for a long time, as they represent a monument to the achievements of human research capabilities in the underwater-acoustics aspects of the environment.

A revised molecular approach to a classic on viscoelasticbehavior Because viscoelasticity affects the properties, appearance,processing, and performance of polymers such as rubber, plastic,and adhesives, a proper utilization of such polymers requires aclear understanding of viscoelastic behavior. Now in its third edition, Introduction to Polymer Viscoelasticityremains a classic in the literature of molecular viscoelasticity,bridging the gap between primers on polymer science and advancedresearch-level monographs. Assuming a molecular, rather than amechanical approach, the text provides a strong grounding in thefundamental concepts, detailed derivations, and particularattention to assumptions, simplifications, and limitations. This Third Edition has been entirely revised and updated to reflectrecent developments in the field. New chapters include: * Phenomenological Treatment of Viscoelasticity * Viscoelastic Models * Time-Temperature Correspondence * Transitions and Relaxation in Polymers * Elasticity of Rubbery Networks * Dielectric and NMR Methods With detailed explanations, corresponding equations, andexperimental methods, supported by real-life applications (as wellas the inclusion of a CD-ROM with data to support the exercises),this Third Edition provides today's students and professionals withthe tools they need to create polymers with more desirablequalities than ever.

This graduate text on viscoelastic materials addresses design applications as diverse as earplugs, computer disks and medical diagnostics.

Rheology is a component of Encyclopedia of Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. Rheology is the study of the flow of matter. It is classified as a physics discipline and focuses on substances that do not maintain a constant viscosity or state of flow. That can involve liquids, soft solids and solids that are under conditions that cause them to flow. It applies to substances which have a complex molecular structure, such as muds, sludges, suspensions, polymers and other glass formers, as well as many foods and additives, bodily fluids and other biological materials. The theme on Rheology focuses on five main areas, namely, basic concepts of rheology; rheometry; rheological materials, rheological processes and theoretical rheology. Of course, many of the chapters contain material from more than one general area. Rheology is an interdisciplinary subject which embraces many aspects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and biology. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Viscoelastic Solids covers the mathematical theory of viscoelasticity and physical insights, causal mechanisms, and practical applications. The book: presents a development of the theory, addressing both transient and dynamic aspects as well as emphasizing linear viscoelasticity synthesizes the structure of the theory with the aim of developing physical insight illustrates the methods for the solution of stress analysis problems in viscoelastic objects explores experimental methods for the characterization of viscoelastic materials describes the phenomenology of viscoelasticity in a variety of materials, including polymers, metals, high damping alloys, rock, piezoelectric materials, cellular solids, dense composite materials, and biological materials analyzes high damping and extremely low damping provides the theory of viscoelastic composite materials, including examples of various types of structure and the relationships between structure and mechanical properties contains examples on the use of viscoelastic materials in preventing and alleviating human suffering Viscoelastic Solids also demonstrates the use of viscoelasticity for diverse applications, such as earplugs, gaskets, computer disks, satellite stability, medical diagnosis, injury prevention, vibration abatement, tire performance, sports, spacecraft explosions, and music.