Molecular Theories of Rubberlike Elasticity and Some Recent Results on Model Networks and Unusual Fillers

摘要

The molecular theories of rubberlike elasticity are reviewed briefly; they are based on two assumptions, viz. that intermolecular interactions are independent of deformation and that the Helmholtz free energy of a network is separable into a non-elastic and an elastic part, with only the latter depending on deformation. With regard to two important examples, the phantom theory predicts moduli that are lower than those of the affine theories; in both cases the modulus should be a constant independent of deformation which is generally not found to be the case. Novel reinforcing techniques use in-situ formation of reinforcing particles and orientation of filler particles by a magnetic field. In the former case, elastomers are allowed to swell in organometallic compounds which can be hydrolyzed (silicates, titanates), thermolyzed (metal carbonyls) or photolyzed. Other techniques generate glassy particles by in-situ polymerization or use polymers with functional groups reacting with the filler surface. West Germany; Translation. (JES)