Glass-Rubber Transition Behavior

The state of a polymer depends on the temperature and on the time allotted to the experiment. While this is equally true for semicrystalhne and amorphous polymers, although in different ways, the discussion in this chapter centers on amorphous materials. 

Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, by L.H. Sperling ISBN 0-471-70606-X Copyright 2006 by John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

For amorphous polymers, the glass transition temperature, Tg, constitutes their most important mechanical property. In fact, upon synthesis of a new polymer, the glass transition temperature is among the first properties measured. This chapter describes the behavior of amorphous polymers in the glass transition range, emphasizing the onset of molecular motions associated with the transition. Before beginning the main topic, two introductory sections are presented. The first defines a number of mechanical terms that will be needed, and the second describes the mechanical spectrum encountered as a polymer s temperature is raised. 

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Figure 2.6. Idealized glass-rubber transition behavior of incompatible two-polymer combinations. In general, both glass-rubber transitions will be observed. ...

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