A note on a class of generalized neo-Hookean models for isotropic incompressible hyperelastic materials

Abstract

In a recent paper in this journal by Anssari-Benam and Bucchi (2021), the authors have proposed a new two-parameter constitutive model for isotropic incompressible hyperelastic generalized neo-Hookean materials. The model reflects the limiting chain extensibility characteristic of non-Gaussian molecular models for rubber. A major contribution of Anssari-Benam and Bucchi (2021) is in showing that the model proposed there is superior to the well-known two-parameter Gent model when fitting with a large variety of experimental data for rubber for the homogeneous deformations of uniaxial, equi-biaxial and pure shear. Moreover, for all of these deformations, a fitting with data is achieved with a single set of values for the parameters with a narrow range of variation. In the present note, we establish a simple direct relation between the new model and the classical Gent model. The large body of research results on the mechanical behavior of rubber-like materials based on the latter model are thus readily applicable to the new model. Some other directions for widening the applicability of the new model are also suggested.