Using a molecular model introduced previously, we study the effects of
chain-end segregation on the relationship between strength (sigma) an
d diameter (d) in polymeric fibers. For segregated structures with a m
onodisperse molecular weight distribution, our results show a scaling
law sigma approximately d(-alpha), with alpha in the range [0.4-0.5],
in agreement with experimental observation. A weaker dependence is fou
nd for polydisperse systems. Further investigation also reveals that m
acroscopic cracks have little influence on the fiber strength/diameter
relationship, unless the crack width shows a faster than linear incre
ase with fiber diameter. Finally, our model results also indicate a ve
ry weak dependence of fiber strength on its length, in good agreement
with experimental observation. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.