Correlating yield response with molecular architecture in polymer glasses

The yield response of nine architecturally different glassy networks is investigated under several stress states, strain rates, and temperatures, and correlations are made among them. Differences in molecular architecture are quantified through two proposed governing parameters; the glass transition temperature, Tg, capturing network stiffness and the cohesive energy density, Ec, reflecting network strength. Cohesive energy density is estimated using molecular modeling techniques and supported by solvent swelling experiments. The limits of the correlations made between molecular architecture and yield behavior are further studied with attempts to relate yielding in thermoplastic glasses and heterogeneous networks.