(of a solid or liquid) exhibiting both viscous and elastic behaviour when deformed
Derived forms
viscoelasticity (ˌviscoelasˈticity)
noun
viscoelastic in American English
(ˌvɪskoʊiˈlæstɪk)
adjective
having or exhibiting viscous and elastic properties
Word origin
< viscous + elastic
viscoelastic in Mechanical Engineering
(vɪskoʊɪlæstɪk)
adjective
(Mechanical engineering: Mechanics and dynamics)
A viscoelastic substance changes shape when a stress is put on it and goes back to its original state when the stress is removed after a period of time.
Polypropylene and gelatin are examples of viscoelastic materials.
Unlike purely elastic substances, a viscoelastic substance has an elastic component and a viscous component.
A viscoelastic substance changes shape when a stress is put on it and goes back to its originalstate when the stress is removed after a period of time.