Objective: To study Stress relaxation behavior of elastomer.

Apparatus:
(a) Universal testing machine
(b)Polymer sample
(c) Vernier Calliper
Theory:
Loaded materials that are subjected to constant strain sometimes
realize a decrease in stress as a function of time, this is referred
to as Stress Relaxation. The cause of Stress Relaxation is that
viscous flow in the polymeric materials internal structure occurs
by the polymer chains slowly sliding by each other, by the
breaking and reforming of secondary bonds between the chains,
and by mechanical untangling and recoiling of the chains. The
amount of Stress Relaxation that occurs within a material is highly
dependent on Temperature.
=

exp (-t/)

where = stress after time t (near study state), o = peak stress

and = relaxation time constant.
The rate at which stress relaxation occurs depends on the
Relaxation Time Constant () which is a material property and is
defined as the time needed for the instantaneous stress () to
decrease to 0.37 (1/e) of the initial stress . Stress relaxation
describes how polymers relieve stress under constant strain.
Because they are viscoelastic, polymers behave in a nonlinear,
non-Hookean fashion. This nonlinearity is described by both stress
relaxation and a phenomenon known as creep, which describes
how polymers strain under constant stress.

Fig.1Polymer sample

Fig.2

UTM
Procedure:
(1)Measure the dimensions of the specimen provided (Thickness,
Length and Width)
(2)Set the elastomer sample in the UTM
(3)Set the appropriate loading conditions
(4)Run the test.
(5)Plot the curves stress vs. time and strain vs time

Observations:

Objective: To study Creep properties of elastomers.

Apparatus:
(a) Universal testing machine
(b)Polymer sample
(c) Vernier Calliper
Theory:
The rate of deformation is a function of the material properties,
exposure time, exposure temperature and the applied structural
load. Depending on the magnitude of the applied stress and its
duration, the deformation may become so large that a component
can no longer perform its function for example creep of a
turbine blade will cause the blade to contact the casing, resulting
in the failure of the blade. Creep is usually of concern to
engineers and metallurgists when evaluating components that
operate under high stresses or high temperatures. Creep is a
deformation mechanism that may or may not constitute a failure
mode.
It can occur as a result of long-term exposure to high levels of
stress that are still below the yield strength of the material. Creep
is more severe in materials that are subjected to heat for long
periods, and generally increases as they near their melting point.

Dimensions
Length(mm)
Width(mm)
Thickness(mm)

Stress relaxation
40
6.14
3.10

Creep
40
6.01
3.28

Procedure:
(1)Measure the dimensions of the specimen provided (Thickness,
Length and Width)
(2)Set the elastomer sample in the UTM
(3)Set the appropriate loading conditions
(4)Run the test.
Observations:

Objective: To study mechanical hysteresis of elastomers.

Procedure:
(1)Measure the dimensions of the specimen provided (Thickness,
Length and Width)
(2)Set the elastomer sample in the UTM
(3)Set the appropriate loading conditions
(4)Run the test.

In stress-strain coordinates, the geometrical locus of operational

point becomes a closed loop, known as hysteresis loop. Since
materials absorb elastic energy under cyclic stress, the unloading
curve is always situated underneath the loading curve, the
hysteresis loop configuration depending on the inelasticity type.
The area of the surface enclosed within the hysteresis loop always
equals the amount of energy dissipated in the material upon one
loading-unloading cycle. This loop evolves with the number of
stress cycles and may offer useful information upon the material

state. Theoretical and experimental investigation of this

dependence is the main task of this paper. Hysteresis variation is
clearly highlighted upon modification of test parameters for
various load cycles. This shows the fact that time variation of
material load causes increase in fatigue, decrease in mechanical
strength and, implicitly, modification of hysteresis loop. Perfect
elastic materials possess an ideal linear stress-strain
characteristic. A cyclic stress generates a strain in these materials
which is cyclically variable and in phase with the stress.
Inelasticity is always present although very fine measurements
are required to detect it. As a result of inelasticity, a phase shift
occurs between strain and stress. In stress-strain coordinates, the
geometrical locus of operational point becomes a closed loop,
known as hysteresis loop. Since materials absorb elastic energy
under cyclic stress, the unloading curve is always situated
underneath the loading curve, the hysteresis loop configuration
depending on the inelasticity type.

Number of cycle
1
2
3
4
5
Conclusions:

Hysteresis loss
0.370
0.270
0.263
0.260
0.258

1. The value of stress is found to be decreasing with time at

constant strain value.
2. The value of strain is found to be increasing with time in creep
test ( constant stress)
3. The consecutive mechanical loading cycles are found to have
lesser area under curve than the previous cycles, which implies
that the energy absorbed is decreasing per cycle.