Four-parameter model, deformation behavior

The four-parameter model provides a crude quahtative representation of the phenomena generally observed with viscoelastie materials instantaneous elastie strain, retarded elastic strain, viscous flow, instantaneous elastie reeovery, retarded elastie reeovery, and plastic deformation (permanent set). Also, the model parameters ean be assoeiated with various molecular mechanisms responsible for the viscoelastic behavior of linear amorphous polymers under creep conditions. The analogies to the moleeular mechanism can be made as follows. 

Macromolecular materials usually possess entropy elasticity together with viscous and energy-elastic components. Such behavior was only partly comprehensible by use of the models discussed up to now. It can be described very satisfactorily, however, by a four-parameter model in which a Hooke body, a Kelvin body, and a Newton body are combined (see the lowest figure in Figure 11-11). With this model, the deformation must again be added, i.e., with Equations (11-49), (11-52), and (11-57),... 

The four-parameter model provides at least a qualitative representation of all the phenomena generally observed in the creep of viscoelastic materials instantaneous elastic strain, retarded elastic strain, steady-state viscous flow, instantaneous elastic recovery, retarded elastic recovery, and permanent set. It also describes at least qualitatively the behavior of viscoelastic materials in other types of deformation. Of equal importance is the fact that the model parameters can be identified with the various molecular response mechanisms in polymers, and can, therefore, be used to predict the influences that changes in molecular structure will have on mechanical response. The following analogies may be drawn. 

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