What does viscoelastic mean?
Viscoelastic describes a material whose mechanical response combines two normally contrasting properties: the ability to flow like a viscous liquid and the ability to recover its shape like an elastic solid. When such a material is loaded, it deforms over time, and the rate of deformation depends on factors such as temperature and the duration of the applied stress. Some of the deformation is recoverable when the load is removed, while some is permanently lost through viscous flow. The adjective is common in materials science, rheology, engineering, and polymer chemistry. It appears in discussions of viscoelastic behavior, properties, models, and materials. The word is useful because it identifies a response that cannot be described accurately as simply elastic or simply viscous. It is especially associated with polymers, sealants, rubbers, biological tissues, and engineered damping systems.
adjectiveHaving a time-dependent response that combines viscous flow with elastic recovery. Viscoelastic materials can deform gradually while storing energy that allows them to return partially or fully to their original shape.
- Having a time-dependent mechanical response that combines viscous flow with elastic recovery.
"The new polymer has a viscoelastic response, gradually relaxing after the stress is removed."
"The sealant becomes viscoelastic as its temperature rises, allowing it to conform to irregular surfaces without remaining permanently deformed."
"Viscoelastic damping is used to reduce vibration in buildings and vehicles."
Viscoelastic materials have two seemingly incompatible talents: they can flow like syrup, yet spring back like rubber.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does viscoelastic come from?
Viscoelastic is a scientific English compound formed by combining viscous and elastic. Viscous derives from Latin viscosus, ultimately from viscus, meaning "sap" or "juice," while elastic comes through Latin elasticus from Greek elastikos, associated with being driven or stretched. The compound terminology developed as mechanics and materials science came to distinguish materials that both resist flow and recover elastically from their deformation.
Related word forms
How viscoelastic is actually used
Chiefly used in specialist writing in physics, materials science, rheology, chemistry, and engineering. It is more technical than the everyday adjective "rubbery" and generally refers to measurable time-dependent behavior rather than merely flexible or stretchable material.
Easily confused with viscoelastic
Elastic describes a material's capacity to recover its shape, whereas viscoelastic specifically describes a response that also depends on time and viscous flow.
Viscous characterizes resistance to flow and energy dissipation, while viscoelastic denotes a combination of that behavior with elastic recovery.