Viscoplastic response and creep failure time prediction of polymers based on the transient network model

The nonlinear viscoelastic/viscoplastic response of polymeric materials is described by a new model based on previous works in terms of monotonic loading, stress–relaxation, and creep. In the proposed analysis, following a constitutive equation of viscoelasticity, based on the transient network theory, essential modifications are introduced, which account for the nonlinearity and viscoplasticity at small elastic and finite plastic strain regime. In addition, viscoplastic response is successfully analyzed by a proper kinematic formulation, which is combined with a functional form of the rate of plastic deformation. A three-dimensional constitutive equation is then derived for an isotropic incompressible medium. This analysis is capable of capturing the main aspects of inelastic response and the instability stage taking place at the tertiary creep, related to the creep failure. Model simulations described successfully the experimental data of polypropylene, which were performed elsewhere.