Nonlinear mechanics of thermoreversibly associating dendrimer glasses

A Srikanth and RS Hoy and BC Rinderspacher and JW Andzelm, PHYSICAL REVIEW E, 88, 042607 (2013).

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.88.042607

We model the mechanics of associating trivalent dendrimer network glasses with a focus on their energy dissipation properties. Various combinations of sticky bond (SB) strength and kinetics are employed. The toughness (work to fracture) of these systems displays a surprising deformation-protocol dependence; different association parameters optimize different properties. In particular, "strong, slow"SBs optimize strength, while "weak, fast"SBs optimize ductility via self-healing during deformation. We relate these observations to breaking, reformation, and partner switching of SBs during deformation. These studies point theway to creating associatingpolymer network glasses with tailorable mechanical properties.

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