Longitudinal sound velocity in uniaxially stretched rubberlike polymers

We present a new method to interpret data obtained by Brillouin-scattering from oriented networks. Because in rubberlike samples the transverse sound waves are normally not observable, it is not possible to extract the complete set of elastic constants. We will show that by combining a model of the orientation process with the lattice-model from Kondo and Igarashi, force constants can be determined from the sound velocities. These force constants can be discussed in terms of molecular conformations and interactions. The anisotropic hypersound velocity was measured in polyurethane- and polysiloxane networks. With the help of the combined orientation-lattice-model evaluation, different kinds of forces can be distinguished. By comparing the force constants with Raman- or infrared spectroscopic data, information about the conformation of the polymer chains can be determined. The effective force constants of the segments are an order of magnitude lower than that of the polymer main chains and the ratio of force constants along and between the segments lies between 1 : 1 to 5 : 1. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.