Effect of block length on the network connectivity and temperature resistance of model, soft thermoplastic elastomers

We discuss the connection between high-temperature mechanics, block structure, and composition of a model series industrially relevant, soft, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) containing polydisperse hard blocks (HBs). The high-strain deformation behavior these materials results from combination multiple dynamics in system, i.e., HB associations mobile entangled amorphous phase. Many soft-TPEs show reduction toughness with increasing temperature. Molecular weight (Mw) has been shown to improve temperature-dependent mechanics by network connectivity. In this work, we investigate possibility increase connectivity tuning length at constant Mw composition. average number HBs per chain can be used quantify connectivity; however, using statistics, how value is not enough especially case HBs. Since temperature affects ability associate each other, only associated determines experimental are consistent modeling predictions, revealing decreasing influences crystal stability, which ultimately controls connectivity, relationship affected