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arXiv · cond-mat/0106193

Tube Model for the Elasticity of Entangled Nematic Rubbers

S. Kutter·E. M. Terentjev
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Abstract

Dense rubbery networks are highly entangled polymer systems, with significant topological restrictions for the mobility of neighbouring chains and crosslinks preventing the reptation constraint release. In a mean field approach, entanglements are treated within the famous reptation approach, since they effectively confine each individual chain in a tube-like geometry. We apply the classical ideas of reptation dynamics to calculate the effective rubber-elastic free energy of anisotropic networks, nematic liquid crystal elastomers, and present the first theory of entanglements for such a material.

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S. Kutter, E. M. Terentjev. 2001-06-19. Tube Model for the Elasticity of Entangled Nematic Rubbers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s101890170004

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