Mesophase Polysiloxane Networks: Mechanical and Thermo- Mechanical Behavior

Abstract

Polymer material science today is directed to the creation and study of such systems that combine various polymeric properties and functions with ordered structures. One of the most striking example of such systems is the liquid crystalline elastomers, which combine the rubber-like elasticity with the ordered structure and the mobility of liquid crystalline phases1–3. It is generally accepted now that attaching conventional mesogens via flexible spacer to a flexible linear polymer and subsequent crosslinking provides an approach for obtaining typical main chain and side chain liquid crystalline polymers. One of the most interesting materials in this field, both from the academic and practical points of view, is the side chain liquid crystalline elastomers1–3‚ which combine the liquid crystalline order with rubber elasticity and shape stability. It is well known now that.polydimethylsiloxane and some related copolymers are very suitable macromolecules for the attachment of the mesogenic side chains to their backbones. Therefore, such side chain liquid crystalline elastomers have attracted much attention during the last decade.