NON-GAUSSIAN STRESS-STRAIN CONSTITUTIVE EQUATION FOR CROSS-LINKED ELASTOMERS

A stress-strain equation is studied which uses a non-Gaussian statisti cal mechanics model for large deformation of crosslinked rubbers. The formulation is based on the work introduced by Doi and Edwards for the description of polymer dynamics in a fixed network. The resulting con stitutive equation is applied in the entire network of elastomers. Uni axial and biaxial tensile and compressive experiments are explained in detail. Comparison with other theoretical work reveals that the prese nt model could be applied equivalently in any kind of physical or chem ical network junction.