THERMOREVERSIBLE GELATION.

Abstract

Theoretical approaches which have been applied to different systems of thermoreversible gelation under certain assumptions have been summarized. Polymers of well-ordered lamellar structures, covalent polymer networks, polymer networks formed by physical aggregation, and polymers of particulate disordered structures are discussed with the chemical equilibrium of cross-linking, the coil-helix transition, or the crystallization theory. A general applicable theory covering all aspects of gelation behaviors does not yet exist.