Elastoviscous

Elastoviscous is an adjective used to describe materials that exhibit both elastic and viscous properties. Elastic materials, such as rubber, can be deformed under stress and return to their original shape once the stress is removed. Viscous materials, like honey, flow and deform continuously under stress. Elastoviscous materials combine these characteristics, deforming under stress and then slowly returning to their original shape over time. This behavior is often observed in complex fluids and soft solids, such as certain polymers, gels, and biological tissues. The elastoviscous nature of these materials is crucial in various fields, including materials science, biology, and engineering, where understanding and controlling their behavior is essential for designing and optimizing materials and processes.