A Hybrid Model of Rubber Elasticity in Simple Extension

Abstract

A thermodynamically related model is developed for describing elastic rubber-like behavior of amorphous and crystallizing polymers and demonstrated on example of simple extension. Both the “entropic” and “energetic” motions of polymer chains that contribute in macroscopic elastic deformation are taken into account. The model displays a continuous transition from entropy to energetic elasticity, without common singularity caused by finite extensibility of polymer chains. A multi-scale molecular approach, based on recent literature concepts has been employed for evaluations of continuum parameters. For crystallizing polymers, a simple model is developed for the stress-induced crystallization, which describes the stress reinforcement caused by the formation of long, needle-like polymer crystals.