The effect of network flaws on the elastic properties of vulcanizates

Abstract

Abstract A treatment is given of the effect of network flaws due to the finite chain length of the primary elastomer molecules on the elastic properties of rubber vulcanizates. In this treatment full allowance is made for the elastically inactive material which exists either as sol or as loose ends of the network. The cases of linear primary molecules with either a random distribution of lengths or with uniform lengths are considered, and the results are compared with those of earlier theoretical treatments.