Viscoelastic behavior of elastomer blends and composites

Viscoelasticity is a material property commonly observed in polymers and elastomers. The term viscoelasticity is a combination of two inherent properties, i.e., viscous and elastic. Characteristics and properties of viscoelastic materials such as polymers and elastomers include loss modulus (E″), storage modulus (E′), and tan δ (ratio of loss to storage modulus). In the present study, the theoretical understanding behind viscoelasticity is presented initially along with its mathematical interpretations. Various constitutive models describing linear viscoelasticity are discussed with mechanism. Responses of such viscoelastic polymer materials under oscillating load condition analyzed through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) are discussed. Viscoelastic properties of different elastomer blends and composites have been exclusively explained with case studies. Factors affecting these properties such as phase compatibility, type and ratio of individual elastomer in blends, type, size, and wt.% of filler, additives, or reinforcement in elastomeric composites have been elaborated.