Flow, high‐elastic (recoverable) deformation, and rupture of uncured high molecular weight linear polymers in uniaxial extension

Abstract

Abstract The behavior of narrow molecular weight distribution polymers has been investigated under uniaxial extension at constant deformation rate and at constant stress. It has been established that up to rupture these polymers behave as linear viscoelastic bodies. A detailed investigation of the rupture phenomenon has shown that the rupture of fluid polymers is due to their transition to the rubbery state at critical deformation rates, with the result that they disintegrate like quasi‐cured rubbers. The effect of the temperature and the molecular weight on the critical conditions of rupture has been described in terms of viscoelastic relaxation.