Towards understanding the role of viscoelasticity in microstructural buckling in soft particulate composites

This work investigates the interplay between viscoelasticity and instabilities in soft particulate composites undergoing finite deformation. The composite is subjected to in-plane deformation at various constant strain rates, and experiences microstructural buckling upon exceeding the critical strain level. We characterize the dependence of the critical strain and wavelength on the applied strain rate through our numerical analysis. In the simulations, we employ the single and multiple-branch visco-hyperelastic models. We find that the critical strain and wavelength - characterized by the single-branch model - show a non-monotonic dependence on the strain rate, reaching a maximum at a specific strain rate. Remarkably, different buckling patterns (with different critical wavelengths) can be activated by changing strain rates. The space of admissible buckling modes widens in composites with higher instantaneous shear modulus. In the composites characterized by the multiple-branch model, the critical strain function exhibit multiple local maxima following a superposition of the single-branch responses. Typically, the branch with a larger relaxation time has a more significant effect on the critical strain. Moreover, the local maximum (of the critical strain function) is amplified by increasing the strain-energy factor of the corresponding branch term.Finally, we perform the experiments on the 3D-printed particulate soft composite characterized by a broad spectrum of relaxation times. The comparison of the experimental and simulation results demonstrates the ability of the numerical model to predict the critical buckling characteristics.

Automated summary

This study investigates the relationship between viscoelasticity and instabilities in soft particulate composites undergoing finite deformation. The composite experiences microstructural buckling upon exceeding the critical strain level, and the critical strain and wavelength depend on the applied strain rate. Different buckling patterns can be activated by changing strain rates, and the space of admissible buckling modes widens in composites with higher instantaneous shear modulus. Experimental results validate the ability of the numerical model to predict critical buckling characteristics.