Thermally reactive oligomers of aromatic poly(ether sulphone) containing poly(dimethylsiloxane): 2. Mechanical properties in the poly(ether sulphone) glass transition range

Abstract The study of the mechanical properties of two-phase poly(ether sulphone)-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-poly(ether sulphone) (PSU-PDMS-PSU) ‘triblock’ networks in the PSU glass transition range shows strong dependence of both the T g and the moduli on the molecular weight of the blocky components. By proper arrangement of the molecular weight of the composing PSU and PDMS, ‘triblock’ networks of desired mechanical properties are feasible. Kinetic interpretation of the pertaining WLF constants suggests polymer specific values and correlation with entropic and energetic contributions to the rheological properties. These entropic and energetic factors seem to show a ‘compensation effect’ like behaviour.