Time dependent mechanical behavior: the viscoelastic loop

Using Maxwell’s model, a theoretical study on the influence of the shear acceleration in shear loop (SL) experiments has been made. Despite the assumption of constant viscosity, a hysteresis loop (HL) is obtained. The dependence of the HL size on the shear acceleration has been quantified using two non-dimensional numbers (De and We). A protocol for the experimental test of the model is suggested based upon the determination of the residual stress observed when the down part of the SL finishes. The results show that for a constant intensity of the deformation of the system, the reduction in the time of the experiment respect to the relaxation time of stress leads to a HL. On the other hand, when the time of the experiment is fixed, a greater HL is observed when the intensity of the deformation of the system increases.