Summary
Constitutive equations are derived for the mechanical behavior of rubbery polymers at finite strains. The model is based on the concept of rigid-rod networks, where breakage of chains is treated as bond scission. Adjustable parameters in the stress-strain relations are found by fitting observations in tensile tests for ethylene-octene copolymers. It is revealed that the constitutive equations correctly describe stress-strain curves up to the break points. Young's modulus and the critical strength per bond monotonically decrease with temperature and increase with molecular weight.
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Received: 17 January 2001/Accepted: 27 February 2001
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Drozdov, A. The effects of temperature and molecular weight on the mechanical response and strength of elastomers. Polymer Bulletin 46, 215–222 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002890170077
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002890170077