Strain-dependent localization, microscopic deformations, and macroscopic normal tensions in model polymer networks

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore how model polymer networks respond to uniaxial stretching, revealing strain-dependent localization and deformations across different network regimes.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the microscopic and macroscopic behavior of polymer networks, validating a recent tube model that differentiates effects of cross-links and entanglements.

Findings

Supports a strain-dependent localization model for polymer chains.

Shows crossover from cross-link to entanglement dominated behavior.

Reveals microscopic deformation mechanisms under uniaxial elongation.

Abstract

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the microscopic and macroscopic response of model polymer networks to uniaxial elongations. By studying networks with strands lengths ranging from $N_s=20$ to 200 we cover the full crossover from cross-link to entanglement dominated behavior. Our results support a recent version of the tube model which accounts for the different strain dependence of chain localization due to chemical cross-links and entanglements.