SEGMENTAL ORIENTATION IN STRETCHED GAUSSIAN NETWORKS

Segmental orientation functions have been calculated for stretched Gaussian networks. The results are obtained in terms of a single reduced variable which, itself, is a function of the degree of orientation, the number of segments in the chain, and the number of segments which move cooperatively in the orientation process. It is pointed out that the chain length found in an experiment might be less than anticipated, because entanglements act as effective junction points. This point of view provides a basis for an estimate of the number of entanglements per polymer chain. © 1978, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.