This book was prepared to provide a concise, elementary presentation of the most important aspects of rubberlike elasticity. Along with many of our colleagues, we have long felt a need for such an introductory treatment. The present time seems propitious because of new insights into the subject provided by theory and numerous recent developments on the experimental side. We have treated the subject from the point of view of the physical chemist or chemical physicist. Accordingly, there is a very pronounced emphasis on molecular concepts and physical ideas, particularly those underlying some of the more abstract theory. The coverage is restricted to equilibrium properties, with no significant consideration of the huge body of literature on polymer viscoelasticity. The approach is quite tutorial, and the only background required of the reader is familiarity with the basic concepts of physical chemistry. Consequcntly, readers already knowledgeable about some aspects of rubberlike elasticity will be inclined to move through a few of the sections relatively rapidly. Nonetheless, we hope that all readers will benefit from the general overview and will also find some specific topics to be of particular interest and useful in their own research programs. The material presented should be sufficient for a one-term introductory course on the subject.

To a large extent, the book can be divided into two major parts. Part A deals primarily with fundamentals; Part B considers additional topics, many of which are still under intensive investigation and thus necessarily discussed in only a preliminary manner.