MICROSCOPIC NONAFFINE DEFORMATION OF POLYDISPERSE POLYMER NETWORKS

The stress-strain behavior of polydisperse networks is investigated us ing the maximum entropy principle. The network is described as a gas o f phantom chains, and the deformation is taken into account by macrosc opic constraints. Thus, nonaffine deformation on a microscopic scale i s allowed and occurs. The main experimental features are reproduced, w ithout introducing parameters additional to the strand number. In addi tion, the length distribution of network strands in a polymerization r eaction is calculated. An exponential distribution of chain lengths is found.