Mapping linear viscoelasticity for design and tactile intuition

We propose and study methods to improve tactile intuition for linear viscoelastic fluids. This includes (i) Pipkin mapping with amplitude based on stress rather than strain or strain-rate to map perception to rheological test conditions; and (ii) data reduction of linear viscoelastic functions to generate multi-dimensional Ashby-style cross-property plots. Two model materials are used, specifically chosen to be easily accessible and safe to handle, with variable elastic, viscous, and relaxation time distributions. First, a commercially available polymer melt known as physical therapy putty, reminiscent of Silly Putty, designed for a range of user experiences (extra-soft to extra-firm). Second, a transiently cross-linked aqueous polymer solution (Polyvinyl alcohol-Sodium Tetraborate, PVA-Borax). Readers are encouraged to procure or produce the samples themselves to build intuition. The methods studied here reduce the complexity of the function-valued viscoelastic data, identifying what key features we sense and see when handling these materials, and provide a framework for tactile intuition, material selection, and material design for linear viscoelastic fluids generally.