Stress Strain Isotherms for Poly-(Dimethylsiloxane) Networks
Abstract Stress strain isotherms are presented for poly (dimethylsiloxane) networks of different degrees of crosslinking, swollen to various extents by a diluent. Results are interpreted in terms of the equation f*v21/3V/(α−α−2)=2C1+2C2α−1, where ƒ* is the tension per unit initial area (unswollen) exhibited by a network when swollen to a polymer volume fraction v2 and elongated to the relative length α, 2C1 is a parameter of the network structure established by the molecular theory of rubber elasticity, and 2C2 is an additional parameter found to give a better representation of experimental data. Values of C2 obtained for networks are found to decrease as the degree of crosslinking is decreased, and the degree of swelling is increased.