Theoretical Equilibrium Moduli and Swelling Extents for Elastomers Crosslinked in Solution
Abstract Equilibrium elongation moduli and swelling properties have been calculated for amorphous polymer networks prepared in a diluted reference state of polymer volume fraction υ2C. The three molecular elasticity theories employed are based on (i) an idealized affine deformation model (in which the constraints on junction fluctuations are infinite), (ii) an idealized phantom chain model (in which the constraints are absent), and (iii) the more realistic Flory-Erman theory (in which the constraints vary with crosslinking conditions, degree of swelling, and extent of elongation). A discussion of the dependence of the constraint parameter κ on υ2C is given, and is applied to the calculation of stress-strain isotherms in elongation specifically for cis-polyisoprene cured with dicumyl peroxide. The experimental dependence of κ on υ2C investigated by Erman and Mark was found to be similar to the dependence of the plateau modulus on dilution, and this is consistent with the constrained contour model proposed by Erman and Monnerie.