Theory 149/Rubber elasticity/Threshold lens
Elasticity Needs a Network Threshold
The claim
Rubber behaves elastically only above a threshold in crosslink density, below which it flows.
01Mechanism
A percolating network is required to store energy; below the threshold chains slide past one another.
02Prediction
Elasticity should appear at a density threshold.
03Refutation
Elasticity increasing smoothly with crosslinks would remove percolation.