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Which materials can show viscoelastic behavior?

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mechanics of solids Figure 1: The position vector x and the velocity vector v of a material point, the body force fdV acting on an element dV of volume, and the surface force TdS acting on an element dS of surface in a Cartesian coordinate system 1, 2, 3 (see text).

Viscoelastic behavior is a property where a material's load-deformation relationship is time-dependent, meaning it exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics. While this response is especially notable in polymeric solids, it is present to some extent in all types of solids.123

Common examples of materials that exhibit viscoelastic behavior include:

Glass1
Rubber1
Many plastics1
Asphalt2
Certain metals1

Additionally, the classification of a material can depend on the time scale of observation. For instance, while rocks are typically characterized as elastic solids for standard engineering purposes, they are considered viscoelastic in geologic studies that span millions of years. Similarly, materials like ice, soil, and sediment can exhibit viscoelastic responses, such as creep, under constant loading over long periods.14