| Abstract: | ![]()
Correlations have been found between solubility parameters and some mechanical properties of a series of vinyl polymers containing 56.6–69.9% chlorine when tested below their glass transition temperature. It is shown that stress at yield increases similarly with chlorine content and with the volume occupied by a monomer unit in the polymer. Using the Reiner-Weissenberg theory of the dynamic strength of materials as a criterion and a rheological model based on a pair of Maxwell bodies in parallel with a Hooke spring, the amount of dissipated and conserved work to yield point was calculated. A parameter, defined as the ratio of work to cohesive energy density, describes the efficiency of the system. The overall efficiency of the system, based on work to break, and proportional efficiency, based on work to yield point, are affected by chlorine content and strain rate. In addition, a potential energy parameter is defined which describes the cohesive energy per volume occupied by monomer unit of the polymer. This parameter is proportional to the total work to break as well as to the ratio of the residual work after yield to total work at all strain rates tested. The major portion of work is conserved up to yield; only a small portion is dissipated. From the yield point to break, after the onset of viscous flow, the major part of this work is dissipated. |
