INTERPRETATION OF EQUILIBRIUM SWELLING DATA ON MODEL NETWORKS USING AFFINE AND PHANTOM NETWORK MODELS

Well-defined polystyrene model networks and poly(dimethylsiloxane) mod el networks have been synthesized by endlinking processes under standa rd conditions. The networks have been swollen to equilibrium in approp riate swelling solvents. The experimental swelling data have been comp ared with those arising from the affine model and the 'phantom' model. The results obtained allow us to calculate the interaction parameter between the swelling solvent and the network. This coefficient strongl y depends upon several structural parameters, such as the functionalit y of the crosslinks, the molar mass of the elastic chains, the polymer volume fraction upon crosslinking and the nature of the swelling solv ent. In most cases, satisfactory agreement has been found between expe riment and theoretical expectations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.