Viscoelasticity and Superposition Principle

Studies on the gel state and the sol state have attracted many colloidal chemists. It has been the subject of important research and many studies have been reported on the internal structure and origin of elasticity [176]. 

There are a number of simple mechanical models for sols and gels [177]. One mechanical model, the Zehn model, is well known [178]. This model consists of a parallel connection of the Maxwell model and a spring with modulus Ge, whereas the Maxwell model has series coimection of a spring 

The left side is when the gel Is placed on a flat surface 

Experiment JAMIC drop tower (Kami-sagawa shi) 

There is an ongoing attempt to find a proper function that fits the viscoelastic property data and to calculate the strength of mechanical relaxation and parameters related to relaxation and its distribution. The method used to describe linear viscoelastic behavior by these mathematical models is described in detail in the monograph by Tschoegel [179]. There is an example of the analysis of viscoelastic behavior data obtained using this method where the sol-gel transition of a gellan aqueous solution was the subject [180]. 

---