Evaluation of calculated entanglement spacings for undiluted linear amorphous polymers

Conclusions In reality, entanglements based on rheological measurements have been essentially defined operationally as a kinetic or time delay effect present in concentrated polymer systems. This is where intuitively molecular loops or overlap and entanglements of polymer chains are most likely to occur. The evaluation in fig. 2 suggests that the theory of rubber elasticity, even discounting the inherent imprecision of measurements, gives anM_e which is not relatable to polymer composition 1and chain structure. Conversely reliable and internally consistent values ofM_c can come from the molecular weight dependence of: 1.Newtonian viscosities, 2.NMR relaxation times, and 3 the shear dependence of viscosities, see fig. 1. However, entanglement spacings calculated in this way lack adequate theoretical substantiation particularly as to the mechanism of flow. Nonetheless, the correlation ofM_c with composition and structure is convincing and provides a sound empirical correlation and the basis for a renaissance in theoretical interpretation of viscoelastic behavior of linear amorphous polymers. Further theory must rationalize the fact that the shear compliance, which is proportional toM_e, depends on a combination of molecular weight averages involvingZ andZ+1. Yet the break in viscosity-molecular weight curves yieldingM_c has been generally confirmed to depend on only weight average molecular weight. The values ofM_c appear worthy of further experimental and theoretical evaluation. The values ofM_e appear to be based on experimental techniques that at present do not provide sufficient precision to warrant citation of such values molekular weight distribution is thought to have an important yet ill-defined influence on calculated values of M_e.