Viscoelastic Behavior, Interfacial Mechanics, and Reliability of Polymer Interlayers in Laminated Glass Composites: A Comprehensive Review

The laminated glass systems are regarded as hybrid polymer–glass composites where the viscoelastic
behavior of polymer interlayers mostly controls mechanical response. These interlayers (polyvinyl
butyral (PVB), ionoplast, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), etc.) have time-, temperature- and ratedependent
properties which significantly affect shear transfer, energy dissipation, and fracture
resistance. But the baseline polymer-relevant processes at the molecular and interfacial level are to a
large extent unknown [1]. This review provides a materials-focused viewpoint on the polymer
interlayers in laminated glass systems, with a focus on viscoelastic constitutive behaviour, molecular
mobility, and interfacial adhesion. The effects of polymer composite (chain dynamics and glass
transition behaviour) on creep, stress relaxation, and thermomechanical behaviour are discussed in
detail. Advanced modeling strategies such as nonlinear viscoelastic formulations and probabilistic
frameworks are reviewed for accurate prediction of time- and uncertainty-dependent material behavior.
In addition, the contribution of polymer interlayers to post-fracture load transfer and the overall
composite reliability are also studied from a materials science perspective. As well, new progress on
nanocomposite interlayers, bio-based polymers, and data-driven materials modelling techniques is
discussed. Major research gaps in multi-scale characterization and long-term performance prediction
are highlighted, providing critical guidance for the design of high-performing, durable, and
sustainable polymer–glass composite material systems [2]. Macroscopic properties can be traced back
to molecular chain dynamics and relaxation spectra.