Measuring viscoelastic deformation with an optical mouse

Abstract

An optical mouse was used to track the viscoelastic deformation of three low-density polyethylene films that have a fixed attached load. With the seemingly rudimentary experimental paraphernalia and arrangement, good measurements of viscoelastic deformation were achievable. The extension data versus time of low-density polyethylene film from the three polymers showing viscous creep whose speed decays over time are typical of polyethylene. The responses were dissimilar despite the samples having similar dimensions.