Nature of Viscoelasticity in Lamellar Block Copolymers: Contraction Correlated to Strain Localization

We determined the local strain profile in sheared lamellar block copolymers. A trilayer model, based on elastic brushes separated by viscous interpenetration zones, captures the rheological response of these materials and provides a measure of the relative contributions of elastic versus viscous strain. The elastic chain distortions were evident from a reversible lamellar contraction, as measured from in situ small-angle x-ray scattering. The contraction was directly correlated to the elastic strain from our trilayer model; three distinct diblock copolymers conform to the predicted relationship, thus suggesting universal behavior.