Abstract
A statistical mechanical equation of state for rubberlike elasticity can be derived by considering the effect of macroscopic strains on the polymer chain length distributions. In the earliest theories, it was assumed that no intramolecular forces, including excluded volume effects, existed in the polymer, thus implying a Gaussian length distribution. Using more general distribution functions, which, among other things, take into account excluded volume effects, we have derived a more refined equation of state for rubber. The results actually show little improvement over theories based on Gaussian distribution. It is suggested that cognizance of maximum chain lengths, intermolecular interactions and energy considerations will be required before achieving significant improvements in the theories.
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