A method to predict the nonlinear relaxation behavior from creep experiments of nonlinear viscoelastic materials is presented. It is shown that for given nonlinear creep properties, and creep compliance represented by the Prony series, the Schapery creep model can be transformed into a set of first order nonlinear equations. The solution of these equations enables the obtaining of the nonlinear stress relaxation curves. The strain-dependent constitutive equation can then be constructed for a given nonlinear viscoelastic model, as needed for engineering applications. A comparison example of the calculated stress relaxation curves, with test data for polyurethane demonstrates the very good accuracy of the proposed method.

1.
Augl
J. M.
, and
Land
D. J.
,
1985
, “
A Numerical Approach for Obtaining Nonlinear Viscoelastic Parameters of Polymeric Materials and Composites
,”
J. Applied Polymer Science
, Vol.
30
, pp.
4203
4233
.
2.
Brueller
O. S.
,
1987
, “
On the Nonlinear Characterization of the Long Term Behavior of Polymeric Materials
,”
Polymers Engineering and Science
, Vol.
27
(
2
), pp.
144
148
.
3.
Brueller
O. S.
, and
Steiner
H.
,
1993
, “
Creep-Based Characterization of Nonlinear Relaxation Behavior of Plastics
,”
Polymers Engineering and Science
, Vol.
33
(
21
), pp.
1400
1403
.
4.
Dillard
D. A.
,
Straight
M. R.
, and
Brinson
H. F.
,
1987
, “
The Nonlinear Viscoelastic Characterization of Graphite/Epoxy Composites
,”
Polymers Engineering and Science
, Vol.
27
(
2
), pp.
116
123
.
5.
Henderson, J., Calderon, G., and Rand, J., 1994, “A Nonlinear Viscoelastic Constitutive Model for Balloon Films,” AIAA 32nd Aerospace Science Meeting & Exhibit, January 10–13.
6.
Horoschenkoff
A.
,
1990
, “
Characterization of the Creep Compliance J22 and J66 of Orthotropic Composites With PEEK and Epoxy Matrices Using the Nonlinear Viscoelastic Response of Neat Resins
,”
J. Composite Materials
, Vol.
24
, pp.
879
891
.
7.
Katouzian
M.
, and
Brueller
O. S.
,
1995
, “
On the Effect of Temperature on the Creep Behavior of Neat and Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK and Epoxy Resin
,”
J. Composite Material
, Vol.
29
(
3
), pp.
372
387
.
8.
Lai
J. S. Y.
, and
Findley
W. N.
,
1968
a, “
Stress Relaxation of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Material Under Uniaxial Strain
,”
Transactions of the Society and Rheology
, Vol.
12
(
2
), pp.
259
280
.
9.
Lai
J. S. Y.
, and
Findley
W. N.
,
1968
b, “
Prediction of Uniaxial Stress Relaxation From Creep of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Material
,”
Transactions of the Society and Rheology
, Vol.
12
(
2
), pp.
234
257
.
10.
Schapery
R. A.
,
1969
, “
On the Characterization of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Materials
,”
Polymers Engineering and Science
, Vol.
9
, pp.
295
310
.
11.
Scott
D. W.
,
Lai
J. S.
, and
Zureick
A. H.
,
1995
, “
Creep Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites: A Review of the Technical Literature
,”
J. Reinforced Plastics and Composites
, Vol.
14
, pp.
588
617
.
12.
Zhang
S. Y.
, and
Xiang
X. Y.
,
1992
, “
Creep Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Plastic Material
,”
J. Reinforced Plastic and Composites
, Vol.
11
, pp.
1187
1194
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.