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A mechanochemistry based approach is proposed to detect and map stress history during dynamic processes. Spiropyran (SP), a force sensitive molecular probe, was incorporated as a crosslinker into multiple network elastomers (MNE). When these mechanochromic MNEs are loaded, SP undergoes a well-known force-activated reaction to merocyanine (MC) changing its absorption in the visible range (visible blue color). This SP to MC transition is not reversible within the time frame of the experiment and the color change reports the concentration of activated molecules. During subsequent loading–unloading cycles the MC undergoes a fast and reversible isomerization resulting in a slight shift of absorption spectrum and results in a second color change (blue to purple color corresponding to the loading–unloading cycles). Quantification of the color changes by using chromaticity shows that the exact color observed upon unloading is characteristic not only of the current stress (reported by the shift in color due to MC isomerization), but of the maximum stress that the material has seen during the loading cycle (reported by the shift in color due to the change in MC concentration). We show that these two color changes can be separated unambiguously and we use them to map the stress history inmore »the loading and unloading process occurring as a crack opens up and propagates, breaking the material. Color maps on fractured samples are compared with finite element simulations and the agreement is excellent.« less

Toughness of soft materials such as elastomers and gels depends on their ability to dissipate energy and to reduce stress concentration at the crack tip. The primary energy dissipation mechanism is viscoelasticity. Most analyses and models of fracture are based on linear viscoelastic theory (LVT) where strains are assumed to be small and the relaxation mechanisms are independent of stress or strain history. A well-known paradox is that the size of the dissipative zone predicted by LVT is unrealistically small. Here we use a physically based nonlinear viscoelastic model to illustrate why the linear theory breaks down. Using this nonlinear model and analogs of crack problems, we give a plausible resolution to this paradox. In our model, viscoelasticity arises from the breaking and healing of physical cross-links in the polymer network. When the deformation is small, the kinetics of bond breaking and healing are independent of the strain/stress history and the model reduces to the standard linear theory. For large deformations, localized bond breaking damages the material near the crack tip, reducing stress concentration and dissipating energy at the same time. The damage zone size is a new length scale which depends on the strain required to accelerate bond breakingmore »kinetics. These effects are illustrated by considering two cases with stress concentrations: the evolution of spherical damage in a viscoelastic body subjected to internal pressure, and a zero degree peel test.« less

Strain‐induced light emission from mechanoluminescent cross‐linkers in silica‐filled poly(dimethylsiloxane) demonstrates that covalent bond scission contributes significantly to irreversible stress‐softening upon the initial extension, known as the Mullins effect. The cross‐linkers contain dioxetanes that emit light upon force‐induced bond scission. The filled elastomer emits light in cyclic uniaxial tension, but only on exceeding the previous maximum strain. The amount of light increases with hysteresis energy in a power law of exponent 2.0, demonstrating that covalent bond scission becomes increasingly important in the strain regime studied. Below 100%–120% strain, corresponding to energy absorption of (0.082 ± 0.012) J cm⁻³, mechanoluminescence is not detectable. Calibration of the light intensity indicates that by 190% strain, less than 0.1% of the dioxetane moieties break. Small but significant amounts of light are emitted upon unloading, suggesting a complex stress transfer to the dioxetanes mediated by the fillers. Pre‐strained material emits light on straining perpendicularly, but not parallel to the original tensile direction, demonstrating that covalent bond scission is highly anisotropic. These findings show that the scission of even a small number of covalent bonds plays a discernible role in the Mullins effect in filled silicone elastomers. Such mechanisms may be active in other types of filledmore »elastomers.

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