Stress Relaxation

Stress relaxation is a process where a material, when held at a constant deformation (like stretched or compressed), gradually reduces the internal tension or stress over time. Imagine pulling on a rubber band and holding it; initially, it feels tight, but after a while, the tension lessens, even though you haven't changed the stretch. This phenomenon occurs because the material's internal structure adjusts and redistributes stress, often due to molecular movement or changes within its fibers. It's common in polymers, biological tissues, and metals, and helps explain how materials can adapt to sustained forces.