Polymers, including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, foams, composites, and adhesives, surround us in our daily lives. We encounter polymers as stiff packaging materials used for consumer goods; plastic components in our cars for protection, structures, and aesthetics; plastics and elastomers used as protection in sports equipment; or implantable medical devices used to save our lives or improve our quality of life. Polymers are used in these applications because they offer a manufacturable solution that can meet a wide range of stiffnesses, making the product safer, cheaper, and more performant. However, using these materials in our designs adds engineering complexity due to the time-dependent mechanical behavior of these materials. Accurately modeling these behaviors is possible with the right framework, data, and tools.

This article appeared in the January 2025 issue of BENCHMARK.