Elastic effects in a model of disordered nematic elastomers are numerically investigated in two dimensions. Networks crosslinked in the isotropic phase exhibit an unusual soft mechanical response against stretching. It arises from a gradual alignment of orientationally correlated regions that are elongated along the director. A sharp crossover to a macroscopically aligned state is obtained on further stretching. The effect of random internal stress is also discussed.

• Received 23 February 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.60.R13