Hysteresis in a polymer network can be caused by a variety of factors, including creep, tan delta, and energy dissipation. Creep testing involves applying a constant load to the material for a certain period of time and measuring the degree of deformation over time. This can reveal the extent of irreversible deformation in the material, which can contribute to hysteresis.

Tan delta is a measure of the loss tangent, which is the ratio of the loss modulus to the storage modulus of the material. A smaller tan delta indicates that the material is stiffer and has less energy dissipation, which can result in less hysteresis. However, the relationship between tan delta and hysteresis is complex and can depend on other factors, such as the frequency and amplitude of the applied load.

Energy dissipation can also contribute to hysteresis in a polymer network. When the material is subjected to stress, some of the energy is dissipated as heat, which can result in irreversible deformation and hysteresis.

While there may not be specific papers that directly support the relationship between tan delta and hysteresis, there is evidence to suggest that factors such as creep and energy dissipation can contribute to hysteresis in polymer networks. Therefore, it is plausible that reducing the loss tangent and increasing stiffness may lead to less hysteresis, although the relationship is likely to be complex and dependent on the specific material and testing conditions.