On the strength and deformation dependence of the tube‐like topological constraints of polymer networks, melts and concentrated solutions. I. The polymer network case

The paper deals with a new model for simulating the topological constraints in polymer networks. The constraining potential and its deformation dependence were calculated via the free energy of the constraining chains in dependence on the displacement of the constrained segments. The configurational restrictions of the constraining chains will be taken into account in a self‐consistent manner. Calculated values of the order and the deformation dependence of the tube radius as a measure of the strength of topological constraints will be compared with experimental investigations. Consequences concerning stress‐strain experiments on elastomeric networks are discussed.