Poly(vinyl chloride) thermoreversible gels: A fractal approach to the relation between structure and mechanical properties

Poly(vinyl chloride) aggregates have been studied by static light scattering in diesters and monoesters. By considering a fibrillar structure, it has been assumed that these experiments provide one with the longitudinal fractal dimension of the fibers, which equals D-f = 1.5 +/- 0.1 independent of the solvent type. Relations established between the elastic modulus and the polymer concentration for the same solvents have been accounted for in most cases by using both a theory developed by Jones and Marques for rigid networks and the fractal dimension as deduced fi om light scattering. The mechanisms promoting fiber rigidity in these gels are discussed.