Elastomers physical properties

Table 2. Fluorocarbon Elastomers Physical Property Ranges ...

HDI Heat buildup An abbreviation for hexamethylene diisocyanate. The temperature rise within an elastomer due to hysteresis. In many end-use applications, an elastomer can be subjected to repeated cycles of deformation-relaxation. As this occurs, friction between the elastomer molecules generates heat. As elastomers have relatively poor thermal conductivity, the heat generated builds up over time, progressively increasing the internal temperature of the elastomer. If the temperature increases above 70°C, the elastomer physical properties can begin to reduce. Design of the elastomer part can play an important role in minimizing the effects of heat buildup. 

The physical data (dynamic modulus, tensile strength, hardness, elongation at break) were investigated by many groups 202,205 210) (cf., Table 4.5 as an example). These results show that the elastomer physical properties become better by increasing the molar ratio of low-molecular-weight diol to hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene. 

Bailey, J. T. Bishop, E. T. Hendricks, W, R. Holden, G. Legge, N. R. "Thermoplastic Elastomers, Physical Properties and Applications" presented at Division of Rubber Chemistry, American Chemical Society, Philadelphia, 1965 Rubber Age. October 1966. 

Lower monol content clearly has a positive effect on all elastomer physical properties. Dramatic property improvements are even seen when comparing elastomers based on ultra-low monol and low monol polyol. This is particularly surprising considering the... 

Bailey J T, Bishop E T, Hendricks W R, Holden G and Legge N R (1966) Thermoplastic elastomers. Physical properties and applications. Rubber Age 98 69-74. Holden G, Bishop E T and Legge N R (1969) Thermoplastic elastomers, J Polym Sci Part G Polym Symp Ed 26 37-57. 

Siace most fabricated elastomer products contain 10—50 vol % of filler, their physical properties and processing characteristics depend to a great extent on the nature and quaUty of the fillers. Rubber technologists manipulate the formula so as to optimize a large number of properties and keep costs down. 

FLUOROTRIAZINES Riag-fluoriaated triaziaes are used ia fiber-reactive dyes. Perfluoroalkyl triaziaes are offered commercially as mass spectral markers and have been iatensively evaluated for elastomer and hydraulic fluid appHcations. Physical properties of representative fluorotriaziaes are listed ia Table 13. Toxicity data are available. For cyanuric fluoride, LD g =3.1 ppm for 4 h (iahalatioa, rat) and 160 mg/kg (skin, rabbit) (127). 

Quahty control testing of siUcones utilizes a combination of physical and chemical measurements to ensure satisfactory product performance and processibihty. Eor example, in addition to the usual physical properties of cured elastomers, the plasticity of heat-cured mbber and the extmsion rate of TVR elastomers under standard conditions are important to the customer. Where the siUcone appHcation involves surface activity, a use test is frequently the only rehable indicator of performance. Eor example, the performance of an antifoaming agent can be tested by measuring the foam reduction when the sihcone emulsion is added to an agitated standard detergent solution. The product data sheets and technical bulletins from commercial siUcone producers can be consulted for more information. 

Ozonc-rcsjstant elastomers which have no unsaturation are an exceUent choice when their physical properties suit the appHcation, for example, polyacrylates, polysulfides, siHcones, polyesters, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (38). Such polymers are also used where high ozone concentrations are encountered. Elastomers with pendant, but not backbone, unsaturation are likewise ozone-resistant. Elastomers of this type are the ethylene—propylene—diene (EPDM) mbbers, which possess a weathering resistance that is not dependent on environmentally sensitive stabilizers. Other elastomers, such as butyl mbber (HR) with low double-bond content, are fairly resistant to ozone. As unsaturation increases, ozone resistance decreases. Chloroprene mbber (CR) is also quite ozone-resistant. 

Modified Bitumen Membranes. These membranes were developed in Europe during the late 1950s and have been used in the United States since the late 1970s. There are two basic types of modified asphalts and two types of reinforcement used in the membranes. The two polymeric modifiers used are atactic polypropylene (APP) and styrene—butadiene—styrene (SBS). APP is a thermoplastic polymer, whereas SBS is an elastomer (see Elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers). These modified asphalts have very different physical properties that affect the reinforcements used. 

The physical properties of block copolymer TPE also depend on the type and arrangement of the blocks. Table 5 compares the property advantages of various block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers. 

Post-Curing. Post-curing at elevated temperatures develops maximum physical properties (tensile strength and compression-set resistance) in fluorocarbon elastomers. General post-cure conditions are 16 to 24 h at 200 to 260°C. 

Properties and Applieations. Aryloxyphosphazene elastomers using phenoxy and J-ethylphenoxy substituents have found interest in a number of appHcations involving fire safety. This elastomer has a limiting oxygen index of 28 and contains essentially no halogens. It may be cured using either peroxide or sulfur. Peroxide cures do not require the allyhc cute monomer. Gum physical properties are as follows (17) ... 

Plasticizers. Addition of plasticizers (qv) to polyether elastomers alters physical properties, improves processing, and can improve low temperature flexibiUty. Plasticizers also reduce vulcanizate costs by allowing the use of higher levels of less expensive fillers. 

The early 1980s saw considerable interest in a new form of silicone materials, namely the liquid silicone mbbers. These may be considered as a development from the addition-cured RTV silicone rubbers but with a better pot life and improved physical properties, including heat stability similar to that of conventional peroxide-cured elastomers. The ability to process such liquid raw materials leads to a number of economic benefits such as lower production costs, increased ouput and reduced capital investment compared with more conventional rubbers. Liquid silicone rubbers are low-viscosity materials which range from a flow consistency to a paste consistency. They are usually supplied as a two-pack system which requires simple blending before use. The materials cure rapidly above 110°C and when injection moulded at high temperatures (200-250°C) cure times as low as a few seconds are possible for small parts. Because of the rapid mould filling, scorch is rarely a problem and, furthermore, post-curing is usually unnecessary. 

Oil resistance demands polar (non-hydrocarbon) polymers, particularly in the hard phase. If the soft phase is non-polar but the haid phase polar, then swelling but not dissolution will occur (rather akin to that occurring with vulcanised natural rubber or SBR). If, however, the hard phase is not resistant to a particular solvent or oil, then the useful physical properties of a thermoplastic elastomer will be lost. As with all plastics and rubbers, the chemical resistant will depend on the chemical groups present, as discussed in Section 5.4. 

Nitrile rubber (NBR) was first commercialized by I.G. Farbindustry, Germany, in 1937, under the trade name of Buna N. Its excellent balance of properties confers it an important position in the elastomer series. Nitrile rubber, a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile, is widely used as an oil-resistant rubber. The acrylonitrile content decides the ultimate properties of the elastomer. In spite of possessing a favorable combination of physical properties, there has been a continuous demand to improve the aging resistance of NBR due to the tougher requirements of industrial and automotive applications. 

Block copolymers have become increasingly important in recent decades. This importance is due to the fact that their special chemical structure yields unusual physical properties, especially as far as solid-state properties are concerned. Block copolymers are applied in various fields, they are used as surfactants, adhesives, fibres, thermoplastics, and thermoplastic elastomers. 

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