Schematic of Maxwell–Weichert model

The Generalized Maxwell model also known as the Maxwell–Weichert model ^[1] (after James Clerk Maxwell and Dieter Weichert) is the most general form of the linear model for viscoelasticity. It takes into account that the relaxation does not occur at a single time, but at a distribution of times. Due to molecular segments of different lengths with shorter ones contributing less than longer ones, there is a varying time distribution. The Weichert model shows this by having as many spring–dashpot Maxwell elements as are necessary to accurately represent the distribution. The figure on the right represents a possible Weichert model ^{[2] [3]} .

[edit] References

1. ^ Ebewele, Robert Oboigbaotor (2000); "Polymer Science and Technology", 404
2. ^ Roylance, David (2001); "Engineering Viscoelasticity", 14-15
3. ^ Tschoegl, Nicholas W. (1989); "The Phenomenological Theory of Linear Viscoelastic Behavior", 119-126