Thermodynamics of no-tension materials

This paper presents a constitutive equation for no-tension materials in the presence of thermal expansion that accounts for the temperature-dependence of their material's constants. Specifically, assuming that the symmetric p art of the displacement gradient minus the thermal dilatation is small, an explicit expression is given for stress from which the free energy, interna l energy, entropy and enthalpy are obtained. Then, the equilibrium energy e quations of a no-tension solid are presented, and we observe that, under fu rther suitable hypotheses, thermo-mechanical uncoupling occurs. Finally, th e work lost during an adiabatic process by two spherical containers made of a linear elastic and a no-tension material are compared. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.