A 3D finite strain viscoelastic model with uncoupled structural and stress relaxations for shape memory polymers

In this paper, a 3D finite strain viscoelastic model with uncoupled structural and stress relaxations is proposed to characterize the thermomechanical behaviors of amorphous shape memory polymers (SMPs). The temperature- and rate-dependent viscoelastic behaviors and stress relaxation are described by the modified Eyring model and nonlinear Adam-Gibbs model based on molecular mechanism. A modified weight function analogous to frozen fraction in phase transition theory is proposed to further improve accuracy of the model. The developed model is implemented with MATLAB to simulate shape recovery experiments of amorphous SMPs under constraints or free in the literature. Good consistency between simulation results and experimental data is obtained.

Automated summary

This paper presents a 3D finite strain viscoelastic model to characterize the thermomechanical behaviors of amorphous shape memory polymers, with uncoupled structural and stress relaxations. The temperature- and rate-dependent viscoelastic behaviors and stress relaxation are described using molecular mechanism models. The model accuracy is further improved by introducing a modified weight function similar to frozen fraction in phase transition theory. The developed model shows good consistency with experimental data in simulating shape recovery experiments of amorphous SMPs under different conditions.