Abstract
In the current study, the non-linear viscoelastic response of a polymer matrix composite under multiple creep/creep recovery loading has been investigated. Starting from Schapery's constitutive equation for the description of the non-linear viscoelastic response at single step loading, the influence of creep/creep recovery multiple step loading in the overall viscoelastic and viscoplastic strain responses is examined, and an attempt to model this behaviour is performed. Based on the modelling of the parameters of non-linearity, the effect of the number of creep/creep recovery cycles in the strain response is examined. It is evident that multiple creep/creep recovery loading has an impact on both viscoelastic and viscoplastic strain responses of polymers and their composites. Good to excellent agreement between the experimental data and the model values of the non-linear parameters is also very encouraging for the application of the model to the non-linear time dependent response of polymer composites.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.