Unperturbed mean-square end-to-end distance of polyethylene

Abstract

It is shown that previous methods for calculating the mean-square end-to-end distance (r02) of polyethylene are invalid, since no account is taken of interactions between rotations around chain bonds. With the aid of recently developed matrix methods the value of (r 02)/nl2 is calculated to be 6.75 at 160°C in excellent agreement with the results deduced from intrinsic viscosity measurements.