The theory of rubber elasticity

Abstract

It is argued that since statistical mechanics has developed in two ways, the dynamical approach of Boltzmann and the equilibrium approach of Gibbs, both should be valuable in rubber elasticity. It is shown that this is indeed the case, and the generality of these approaches allows one to study the problem in greater depth than hitherto. In particular, damping terms in the elastic behaviour of rubber can be calculated, and also the effect of entanglements and excluded volume on the equation of state. It is noticeable that although the calculated equations of state are quite complex, they do not fit into a simple pattern of invariants. The future for these developments is briefly discussed.