The physics of rubber elasticity [antikvár]

PREFACE It is sometimes considered unnecessary for those engaged in the practical development of industrial processes to concern themselves with the so-called theoretical aspects of their subject. On examination, it is usually found that exponents of this point of view are not entirely consistent, for in any type of work involving experimentation it is impossible to get along without somé sort of theory, however limited or ad hoc it may be. My excuse for doing the work which I do (of which this book is one aspect) is that I always believe that if one is going to have a theory at all one may as well take somé trouble to find the one which most nearly represents the known facts. In the subject of rubber elasticity it is not easy to discover from the mass of literature, often of a rather mathematical character, what are the generally accepted theories. In this book I have therefore attempted to convey (in not too mathematical language) the fundamental concepts of the subject, and to present the whole in a more or less consistent form. In this task I have admittedly given expression to my own point of view, and I have drawn freely on the work of my associates at the British Rubber Producers' Research Association. I cannot hope to acknowledge the many who have helped me by the discussion of particular sections, but I should like to mention particularly Dr. G. Gee, Director of the B.R.P.RA., who read and criticized the manuscript in detail, my colleague Mr. R. S. Rivlin, who gave me the benefit of his unpublished ideas and works, and Dr. K. Weissenberg, with whom I was able to discuss the final chapter. I should alsó like to thank the Board of the B.R.P.RA. for encouraging me to undertake this work, and for the provision of facilities for its execution. L. R. G. T. british rubber producers' research association welwyn garden city