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Hairpin rubber elasticity

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Abstract.

We model the elastic properties of main chain liquid crystalline elastomers, formed by cross linking chains in a strongly nematic state, when they have hairpin defects. We study the response of the elastomer to imposed uniaxial extension along the nematic direction, and employ a microscopic model of how the deformation is distributed non-affinely amongst the hairpin and straight chain populations. The rubber shows a plateau in the stress as a function of the elongation imposed along the director. It is a consequence of the depletion of the actively stretching population of hairpin chains and should not be confused with soft elasticity effects associated with director rotation.

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Correspondence to J. M. Adams.

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Adams, J., Warner, M. Hairpin rubber elasticity. Eur. Phys. J. E 16, 97–107 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2005-00012-3

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