A new method for the study of molecular motion in polymeric solids: Thermally stimulated creep

We propose a new method for the investigation of molecular motion in polymeric solids. In a mechanical step‐function experiment, we thermally stimulate the response to a constant stress. The high resolving power of this technique permits detailed study of the complex retardation modes observed in polymers. As an example, we consider the thermally stimulated creep of low density polyethylene. The experimental resolution of the thermally stimulated creep spectra shows the existence of elementary processes well fitted by the assumption of single retardation times.