On December 1, 2025, the technical science popularization platform "Polymer Detective Agency" released an in-depth analysis article, systematically unpacking viscoelasticity, the core property of polymer materials. This abstract yet crucial concept is not only the cornerstone of polymer physics but also directly impacts material processing, product performance, and service life, perplexing numerous R&D and production professionals. The article points out that viscoelasticity is the dual response of polymer materials to time and external forces, combining the characteristics of "viscosity" and "elasticity": "viscosity" manifests as slow segment sliding with energy dissipation, while "elasticity" stems from the reversible retraction ability of segment thermal motion. Its essence is the dynamic game between the "retraction tendency" and "sliding tendency" of chain segments, regulated by time scale, temperature, and segment structure. Materials exhibit hardness and brittleness under rapid force application, while showing plastic flow under slow force, a mechanism that explains common phenomena such as polypropylene's brittle fracture under impact and toughness under slow stretching. In industrial applications, viscoelasticity exerts a ubiquitous influence: melt flow during processing, dimensional stability of products, impact resistance, fatigue life, and aging processes are all directly related to segment motion. For instance, the "snake-like fluctuation" in PE extrusion and the rebound deformation of PA products are essentially problems caused by mismatched segment relaxation rates; the core of aging and brittleness is precisely the attenuation of segment mobility. By linking microscopic mechanisms with macroscopic phenomena, the article grounds abstract concepts and provides a new analytical perspective for R&D personnel. It is reported that the author has also established multiple polymer technology exchange groups covering fields such as plastics, rubber, and composite materials, offering a platform for industry technical communication.

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