Silicone Rubber Tack I: Relation to Network Structure

The influence of the network structure on the poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) rubber is described. The telechelic polymers have crosslinking sites restricted to the ends of polymer chains only, giving well-defined networks. Rubber-rubber tack is related to the network structure, mostly to the amount of loose polymer chains not linked into the network, that can diffuse through the interface. The amount of mobile chains can be adjusted by varying crosslinker amount and functionality. By controlled variation of the degree of crosslinking of the telechelic silicone rubbers, various levels of tack are induced, which may be related to the network topology.