Unified performance test for viscoelastic materials

A unified test method of mechanical properties of viscoelastic materials (VEM) using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) having a first and a second parallel plate configuration comprising:

• placing the VEM between the first and second plates;
• performing a high-temperature test by setting the temperature to a predetermined high-temperature above 40° C. and applying one or more first Pulse Loads Series (PLS) sufficient to cause deformation in the VEM, wherein the VEM reaches a first Stable Region wherein a first DA is a negative number that approaches zero and does not reach a first unstable region wherein the first DA becomes positive, and/or
• performing a low-temperature test by setting the temperature to a predetermined low-temperature equal or less than 0° C. and applying one or more Constant Load Series (CLS) sufficient to cause deformation in the VEM, wherein the VEM reaches a second Stable Region and does not reach a second Unstable Region, and/or
• performing an intermediate temperature test by setting an intermediate temperature between 0 and 40° C. and applying a second Pulse Load Series at a predetermined maximum stress sufficient to cause deformation in the VEM, wherein the VEM reaches a third Stable Region and does not reach a third Unstable Region, and further applying different iterations of Pulse Load Series with the same predetermined maximum stress as the second Pulse Load Series and at higher temperatures than was applied during the second Pulse Load Series until the VEM reaches a subsequent Unstable Region.