Abstract
The theory of rubber elasticity is set in the context of the general theory of finite elastic deformations so as to compare the statistical-mechanical theory of Flory (1961) and the phenomenological theories. Allowance is made for the finite compressibility of rubber-like solids. According to Flory the strain energy of a rubber-like solid can be written as the sum of two terms: a 'network response function' and a 'liquid-like' term. The general theory of nearly isochoric elastic deformations, however, shows that an independent third term must be included in the strain-energy function which makes an important contribution to the strain-induced dilatation and the 'anisotropy of linear compressibility'. The analysis here exposes the differences in the roles of the three terms, and the results are interpreted for rubber-like solids. A general expressions is derived for the anisotropy of linear compressibility.
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