Abstract
The effect of loose chain ends on tensile properties and equilibrium swelling of crosslinked polyurethane rubbers is studied. As in plasticized elastomers, tensile strength and elastic modulus are reduced approximately by a factor (1−νE,P)2, where νE,P is the volume fraction of loose chain ends, plasticizer, or both. This effect is much larger than predicted by present theory. Also the equilibrium volume swelling ratio, V0/V, of rubbers having terminal chains or an equal volume of plasticizer is the same, provided they do not differ in crosslink density. However, the volume fraction of “network rubber” in the equilibrium swollen specimen, ν2, differs owing to the non-extractability of terminal chains. On this basis a method is proposed which allows experimental determination of the volume fraction of loose ends. Elastomers abounding in loose chain ends show markedly less long term stress relaxation. This effect is not clearly understood but is useful to detect the presence of non load-bearing network.
Stimuli Responsive Hydrogels: NIPAM/AAm/Carboxylic Acid Polymers
