The structures and the mechanical properties of networks formed by end-linking of two types of tetra-arm star polymers are studied by a coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation. The formation efficiency of elastically effective chains is improved by increasing the length of the arms and the volume fraction of the star polymers at the preparation stage. When the uniaxial elongation is applied to the networks in the as-prepared state, the shear modulus is proportional to the number density of the elastically effective chains and indicates an intermediate value between the phantom and affine network models. In the equilibrium swollen state, the shear moduli of the networks prepared at high volume fractions are significantly enhanced by trapped entanglements. The networks formed from the tetra-arm star polymers show higher number densities of the elastically effective chains than networks consisting of telechelic functional polymers and cross-linkers.

通过粗粒度的分子动力学模拟研究了由两种类型的四臂星形聚合物的末端连接形成的网络的结构和机械性能。弹性有效链的形成效率通过在制备阶段增加臂的长度和星形聚合物的体积分数来提高。当在准备好的状态下将单轴伸长率应用于网络时，剪切模量与弹性有效链的数量密度成比例，并且表示幻影和仿射网络模型之间的中间值。在平衡溶胀状态下，陷获缠结显着增强了以高体积分数制备的网络的剪切模量。