A network description of the non-Gaussian stress-optic and Raman scattering responses of elastomer networks

The ability to measure orientation in dual or multi-phase materials is of current relevance in the study of the constitution and deformation characteristics of the separate phases in many technologically important polymeric systems. Raman spectroscopy is a very useful tool in this regard because separation of the scattered Raman intensities by phase is possible and because it can be used accurately on thick specimens. A three dimensional network model concept used previously to describe the stress and birefringence reponses of elastomers is extended to describe the components of the Raman tensor for amorphous elastomers under general finite deformations. The utility of the model is verified via its ability to predict the finite deformation responses of elastomeric networks under large shear deformations. Potydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) networks are tested to large deformations in uniaxial compression and in shear for comparison with the theory. Simultaneous displacement, load and optical retardation data are collected using apparatus specially designed to allow optical access throughout the deformation tests. The importance of properly accounting for finite rotations when relating the computational results to the experimentally measured optical data is discussed. The proposed network description of the Raman tensor is also compared to Raman intensity in the literature on polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The results indicate that the theory accurately predicts the anisotropic Raman tensor components over the full range of deformation for which data are available.