Elasticity crystalline polymer

Dusek, K. and Prins, W. Structure and Elasticity of Non-Crystalline Polymer Networks. VoL 6,... 

Finkelmann et al. 256 274,2781 have also investigated the synthesis and the characteristics of siloxane based, crosslinked, liquid crystalline polymers. This new type of materials displays both liquid crystallinity and rubber elasticity. The synthesis of these networks is achieved by the hydrosilation of dimethylsiloxane-(hydrogen, methyl)siloxane copolymers and vinyl terminated mesogenic molecules in the presence of low molecular weight a,co-vinyl terminated dimethylsiloxane crosslinking agents156 ... 

Softening as a result of micro-Brownian motion occurs in amorphous and crystalline polymers, even if they are crosslinked. However, there are characteristic differences in the temperature-dependence of mechanical properties like hardness, elastic modulus, or mechanic strength when different classes of polymers change into the molten state. In amorphous, non-crosslinked polymers, raise of temperature to values above results in a decrease of viscosity until the material starts to flow. Parallel to this softening the elastic modulus and the strength decrease (see Fig. 1.9). 

In terms of copolymerization, the addition of a comonomer to a crystalline polymer usually causes a marked loss in crystallinity, unless the second monomer crystallizes isomorphously with the first. Crystallinity typically decreases very rapidly, accompanied by reductions in stiffness, hardness, and softening point, as relatively small amounts (10-20 mol%) of the second monomer are added. In many cases, a rigid, fiber-forming polymer is converted to a highly elastic, rubbery product by such minor... 

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate). Poly(trimethylene terephthal-ate) (PIT) is a crystalline polymer that is used for fibers, films, and engineering plastics. The polymer has an outstanding tensile elastic recovery, good chemical resistance, a relative low melting temperature, and a rapid crystallization rate. It combines some of the advantages of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). Disadvantageous are the low heat distortion temperature, low melt viscosity, poor optical properties, and pronounced brittleness low temperatures. 

Dusek.K., Prins.W. Structure and elasticity of non-crystalline polymer networks. Advan. Polymer Sci. 6,1-102 (1969). 

Note at proof Recently Gaylord et al. (Polymer, 25, 1577, 1984) have shown theoretically that elastic deformation of crystalline polymers is controlled by energetic interaction rather than by entropy. 

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