Abstract

AbstractThe equilibrium swelling behavior of end‐linked silicone networks has been studied, using low molecular weight silicone oils as diluents. Using the phantom and affine versions of the Flory–Rehner elasticity theory, the predictability of the equilibrium swelling has been examined. It was found that a modified version of the Flory–Rehner equation can be used to predict the equilibrium swelling behavior, provided the interaction parameter is known or measured. The modification is the use of the measured elastic shear modulus of the network prior to swelling, to calculate the density of network chains needed in the equation for swelling. This implies that both entangled and chemically linked chains contribute to the swelling behavior, since the modulus itself is predicted by the use of an equation that incorporates the contribution of entanglements. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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