Ultimate Properties of Stereoregular and Stereoirregular 1,4-Polybutadiene Networks and Their Correlation with Theories

Abstract

Abstract The ultimate properties of stereoregular and stereoirregular 1,4-polybutadiene (PB) networks covering a range in micro-chemical structure (cis-trans-vinyl) have been investigated. The dependence of the ultimate properties, namely the ultimate strength and the maximum extensibility, on sterochemical structure, has been demonstrated at different temperatures. Also, dependence of the ultimate properties on temperature has been apparent. Focusing special attention on the physical processes that culminate in rupture of the network, confirmed and extended the primary role played by strain-induced crystallization. More specifically, strain-induced crystallization enhances attainment of greater values of strength and extensibility. Noncrystallizable elastomers were found to have lower ultimate properties due to the absence of rupture-impeding mechanisms and consequently they become incapable of reaching their maximum extensibility. The frequently observed maximum in plots of the ultimate strength fr vs. the molecular mass Mc has been verified as an intrinsic property of the networks. This property was found to depend on the degree of crosslinking, rather than being time dependent. Values of the ultimate strength fr of both crystallizable and noncrystallizable networks were well reproduced by Bueche's theory of rupture. On the other hand, the Griffith criteria were found to have some success with noncrystallizable networks. Calculated values of the threshold surface free energy G0 were in agreement with those reported in the literature for similar noncrystallizable networks.