1. Viscoelastic
stress relaxation refers to scenarios for which the stress
applied to a polymer must decay over time in order to maintain a
constant strain. Otherwise, over time, the polymer chains will slip
and slide past one another in response to a constant applied load
and the strain will increase (in magnitude).
2. Viscoelastic
creep refers to scenarios for which a polymer will
permanently flow over time in response a constant applied
stress.
1) When Viscoelastic stress relaxation occurs - step constant
strain causes decreasing stress
2) When Viscoelastic creep occurs - step constant stress causes
increasing strain
