Application of statistical mechanics to the analysis of various physical properties of elastomeric networks — a review

This paper examines the application of the statistical mechanics to the analysis of various physical properties of the elastomeric networks. The equilibrium properties of rubber-like networks are discussed, and also some dynamic properties, such as the relaxation spectrum of Gaussian networks. The paper covers a large spectrum of properties of polymer networks such as: fluctuations and chain dimensions in unimodal and bimodal network, effects of entanglements and constraints on the elastic properties of the network, segmental orientation, liquid-crystalline networks, small angle neutron scattering from networks, strain birefringence, elastic properties of filled networks, strain induced crystallization etc. The paper shows that the statistical mechanics can be successfully used to the analysis of almost all physical properties of rubber-like networks.