Analysis of time‐dependent mechanical behavior of polyethylene

Abstract New data analysis based on a spring‐dashpot model is developed to provide very close simulation of stress variation in polyethylene (PE) when subjected to a multi‐relaxation (MR) test. The model consists of a quasi‐static branch and two (long‐ and short‐term) viscous branches. The study shows that viscous stresses applied to the two dashpots and the model parameters can be quantified as functions of displacement (stroke) by simulating closely the stress variation in relaxation. Using these parameters, influences of stress triaxiality and material grade on PE's stress response at relaxation stages are examined, and along with experimental data at the loading stages, spring constants in the two viscous branches are determined. The results indicate that among three PE grades, spring constants and their trend of variation are similar in the long‐term viscous branch, but not in the short‐term counterpart. The results also show that by decreasing specimen gauge length 10 times to increase stress triaxiality, spring constants in the two viscous branches become closer to each other. The work concludes that the new data analysis can determine all parameters in the model, which can then be considered to quantify the role of the viscous stress response for PE's load‐carrying performance. Highlights Use a simple model to simulate complex, multiple relaxation behaviors of PE. Determine all model parameter values to characterize PE's relaxation behavior. Illustrate the effect of stress triaxiality on PE's viscous stress response. Show the similarity and difference of the viscous stress response among 3 PEs.