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Micromechanical Analysis of Strength of Polymer Networks with Polydisperse Structures

Tehrani, Mohammad Jafari
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1491913532934372

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Mechanical Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
The effect of network chain distribution on mechanical behavior of elastomers is one of the long standing problems in rubber mechanics. The classical theory of rubber elasticity is built upon the assumption of entropic elasticity of networks whose constitutive strands are of uniform length. The kinetic theories for vulcanization, computer simulations, and indirect experimental measurements all indicate that the microstructure of vulcanizates is made of polymer strands with a random distribution of length. The polydispersity in strand length is expected to control the mechanical strength of rubber as the overloaded short strands break at small deformations and transfer the load to the longer strands. The purpose of the contributions presented in this thesis is to present simple theories of rubber mechanics that take into account the length distribution of strands and its e ect on elasticity and the onset of bulk failure in unfilled and filled elastomers. In unfilled system, the population of short chains are identified as the culprits for damage initiation. Upon deformation of a polydisperse network, shorter strands break at considerably smaller stretches compared to the longer ones. The network alteration continues concurrent with increasing deformation and controls the onset of mechanical failure. In the filled networks, the degradation in network mechanical behavior is assumed to be controlled by the adhesive failure of the short strands adsorbed onto the filler surface. The finite extensibility of the short adsorbed strands is a key determinant of mechanical strength.
Alireza Sarvestani , Dr. (Advisor)
Arash Yavari, Dr. (Committee Member)
Khairul Alam, Dr. (Committee Member)
Munir Nazzal, Dr. (Committee Member)
David Bayless, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Shawn Ostermann (Other)
71 p.
Mechanical Engineering; Polymers
Polymer Networks; Polydisperse; Mechanical strength; Filled elastomer; Filled polymer; damage; polymer failure

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tehrani, M. J. (2017). Micromechanical Analysis of Strength of Polymer Networks with Polydisperse Structures [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1491913532934372

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tehrani, Mohammad. Micromechanical Analysis of Strength of Polymer Networks with Polydisperse Structures. 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1491913532934372.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tehrani, Mohammad. "Micromechanical Analysis of Strength of Polymer Networks with Polydisperse Structures." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1491913532934372

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1491913532934372
577
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.