The molecular basis of rubber elasticity

Abstract

This paper reviews experimental work designed to test the molecular basis of the kinetic theory of rubber elasticity. Neutron scattering experiments have been used to test the essentially amorphous character of a rubber network and aspects of chain conformation in the network and in the uncrosslinked state. Networks of controlled topology have been synthesized in solution and in the dry state to examine the form of the shear modulus of the system, predicted by the kinetic theory.