Abstract
Constitutive equations are developed for the kinetics of enthalpy relaxation in polymeric glasses. An amorphous polymer is treated as an ensemble of cooperatively rearranged regions (CRR). Rearrangement of a CRR is modeled as a hop from one potential well on the energy landscape to another. The probability for changing traps in a hop is determined by the difference between the current and equilibrium concentrations of CRRs. A nonlinear parabolic equation is derived for the distribution function of CRRs. It is applied to predict entropy recovery after a thermal jump. Fair agreement is demonstrated between results of numerical simulation and experimental data for poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 303-310 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Polymer Bulletin |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 14 Dec 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry