Results from torsional stress relaxation experiments in which we measure the torque and
normal force responses of two glassy poly(alkyl methacrylate)s are presented. Tests were performed at
temperatures ranging from the dynamic glass transition (α-relaxation) to the first sub-glass transition
relaxation (β-relaxation) and in the sub-yield range of deformations (strains ranging from 0.02 to 0.045)
and at a fixed aging time of 4980 s. We found a significant difference between the relaxation behavior of
the normal force response and the torque response of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The results
provide evidence that the normal force of PMMA is influenced by the β-relaxation. For specimens having
a longer side chain length, i.e., poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA), the difference between the normal force
and torque relaxation behaviors is less. This is consistent with the less pronounced β-relaxation mechanism
in PEMA. Furthermore, an examination of the effect of temperature on the ratio of the normal force
modulus to the shear modulus of PMMA provides strong evidence that the normal force modulus relaxes
faster than the shear modulus as the β-relaxation is approached. Also, following the scaling law relations
of Penn and Kearsley, the derivatives of the strain energy density function with respect to the first and
second invariants of the strain tensor were determined. Finally, the departure of the strain energy density
function behavior of PMMA and PEMA from the neo-Hookean material behavior is shown.