The onset of elastic coupling in polymer liquids

Abstract

The modified Rouse equation of motion recently introduced for the study of multiple elastic interactions of polymer chains in concentrated liquids is applied to investigate the onset of entanglement coupling. For undiluted systems of ring polymers we conjecture a possible dynamic transition at M=3.938 M e, preceded and induced by strong alterations of the mechanical spectrum. Extrapolation to linear polymers localizes the onset of entanglement coupling at M≃1.97 Me. © 1984 American Institute of Physics.