Recent developments in the molecular theory of rubber elasticity

5 Recent developments in the molecular theory of rubber elasticity 

Edwards and Vilgis [11] subsequently extended this theory to include the limitation of finite extensibility for the network that they regarded as arising when the network chains are ftdly extended, i.e. ex where n is the number of links in the polymer chain between junction points (see Equation (3.17) above). This introduces another constant a = [(Aj + -I-Aj) / ]max into Equations 

The second approach, pioneered by Arruda and Boyce [12], involves the generalization of the non-Gaussian model of James and Guth [8], The James and Guth model was essentially one of three mutually perpendicular molecular chains, 

The analogue of the three-chain equation (Equation (3.33)) for uniaxial stretching becomes 

Arruda and Boyce [12] showed that the eight-chain model performed much better than three- and four-chain models in predicting the behaviour of vulcanized rubber in uniaxial and biaxial tension and shear, and also performed excellently in modelling uniaxial and plane strain compression of gum and neoprene rubber. 

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MOLECULAR THEORY OF RUBBER ELASTICITY 47... 

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