Effect of slight crosslinking on the mechanical relaxation behavior of poly(2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate) chains

► Uncrosslinked PEOEMA exhibit two secondary relaxation processes in the glassy state. ► The β relaxation is suppressed by crosslinking the PEOEMA, remaining the γ relaxation. ► The γ relaxation is due to conformational transitions about the OCH2CH2O bonds. ► The β relaxation may arise from local motions of the polymer backbone. ► The mesoscopic structure appears in the dielectric spectra but not in the mechanical.