Modeling of viscoelastic and structural relaxation in glass

Abstract

Contemporary relaxation models, as formulated by means of kinetics, irreversible thermodynamics and the theory of viscoelasticity are reviewed. While they are successful in describing the main relaxations in the vicinity of T g, or in the vicinity of the main maximum of relaxation times distribution, none of them accounts quite satisfactorily for both the main and secondary (sub- T g, β-, short-times-tale-) relaxations. This area along with the response of glass to the high amplitude influences are viewed as most promising for future modeling efforts.