An approach to characterize nonlinear viscoelastic material behavior usingdynamic mechanical tests and analyses

Linear viscoelastic properties may be rapidly identified using dynamic mech anical analysis methods, yet these traditional methods do not properly iden tify nonlinear viscoelastic response. Herein, dynamic mechanical methodolog ies are extended to provide an approach for nonlinear characterization. The proposed method is based on Schapery's nonlinear viscoelastic model extend ed to dynamic mechanical theory. The oscillatory loading during a dynamic t est is addressed within the nonlinear viscoelastic model. An experimental p rotocol is established. Analyses and experiments are performed for the char acterization of thin-film polyethylene to validate the approach.