Creep rupture of polymers-a statistical model

The paper focuses on the micromechanical origins and mechanisms of creep failure of epoxy-resins. Microstructure of the material is modeled by a 2D lattice. The probabilistic nature of the creep deformation process is based on the kinetic theory of rupture. The macroscopic manifestation of the process : evolution of strain, degradation of stiffness and endurance are defined in terms of the morphology of the microstructure and processes at the microlevel. ~ 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved