A study of the mechanical properties of poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) [Fe(eta-C5H4)(2)SiMe2](n), 3, a novel organometallic polymer, has been performed on thin films of this material. The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of film samples (15 x I x 1 mm) of 3 were measured in quasi-static tension using a video extensometer. For 3, the values of the Young's moduli (E) and Poisson's ratios W were similar between axes in the plane and independent of the splicing direction used during sample preparation. The mean and standard deviation of the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were 0.78 +/- 0.08 GPa and 0.37 +/- 0.06 GPa, respectively. Thermomechanical analysis of 3 revealed a steady decrease of E from a room temperature value of approximately 0.70 GPa. Additionally, it was found that at 150 degrees C, 3 was unable to support even small stresses, consistent with the onset of a melt transition (ca. 135 degrees C). A mathematical model based on molecular geometry is developed to describe the results. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.