| Abstract: | The mechanical properties of the polysiloxane dizwitterionomers change dramatically with a tenfold increase in the ionic content, from soft, weak materials to hard, strong rubbers. The effects of the zwitterion concentration and the unique morphology on the elastic modulus can be explained by treating this series of ionomers as composites. Macro- and microfibrillation were observed in 1- and 2-mole % zwitterion samples before the ultimate break and are probably due to reorientation of the ionic domains parallel to the stress direction so that cracks could propagate in the direction of the stress. |
