Stress-optical properties of poly(oxypropylene) networks

Strain birefringence of poly(oxypropylene) was studied using several poly(oxypropylene) model networks of different crosslink densities. Most of the measurements were carried out in elongation, in both the unswollen and the swollen states, over the temperature range 10–70°C. The optical configuration parameter was found to be Δa = (4.33 ± 0.09) × 10^?24 cm³ at 25°C with a very small temperature coefficient. Theoretical calculations based on rotational isomeric state theory were employed to interpret the experimental data. The results indicate the intermolecular correlations to be low for this polymer, and, contrary to other systems, the stress-optical coefficient C decreased with increasing average molecular weight between crosslinks. This fact was attributed to the end-group effect introduced by the crosslinking agent.