Rubber elastic behavior

The characteristic property of elastomers is their rubber-elastic behavior. Their softening temperature lies below room temperature. In the unvulcanized state, i.e. without crosslinking of the molecular chains, elastomers are plastic and thermo-formable, but in the vulcanized state—within a certain temperature range — they deform elastically. Vulcanization converts natural rubber into the elastic state. A large number of synthetic rubber types and elastomers are known and available on the market. They have a number of specially improved properties over crude rubber, some of them having substantially improved elasticity, heat, low-temperature, weathering and oxidation resistance, wear resistance, resistance to different chemicals, oils etc. 

Because of the large ratio K/G, most studies of rubber elastic behavior are restricted to constant volume deformations, i.e., to Dey, and to the resulting deviatoric stress Dty. Although this restriction is widely made, it is often tacit. Because of its importance, we make it explicit here because it has important consequences for the current discussion. 

The mechanical behavior of the hydrogels can be described by the theories of rubber elasticity and viscoelasticity, which are based on time-independent and time-dependent recovery of the chain orientation and structure, respectively. Mechanical properties due to rubber elastic behavior of hydrogels can be determined by tensile measurements, while the viscoelastic behavior can be determined through dynamic mechanical analysis. 

Linear Elastic and Rubber Elastic Behavior. Although stiffening is quite noticeable in the glassy regime of the amorphous phase, the most spectacular effect is seen in the rubber elastic regime phase, as already evoked in the case of reinforcement by cellulose whiskers (2). The PA6-clay hybrids example presented in Table 3 is quite representative of the situation encoimtered with semi crystalline thermoplastics, but elastomeric networks benefit as well of clay layer dispersion with a two- to threefold increase in modulus for polyurethane or epoxy networks... 

Figure A9.2.1 Simple rubber-elastic behavior of a rubber band under increasing load.

To describe the soft phase contribution, one needs to develop a hyperelastic model taking into account (i) rubber elasticity behavior (ii) strain amplification due to the trapped hard phase inclusions (iii) strain hardening as the chains approach their maximum extensibility. Typically, one could approximate these effects using an inverse Langevin function or its Fade approximation (see ref. [39], Chapter 11), and using a strain multiplication factor. Here, we use a somewhat simplified expression that retains most of the required features ... 

If the stress-strain curve extends considerably beyond the yield point one speaks of a tough polymer the shape of the curve depends on the strain hardening behavior of the polymer and on the tendency to neck formation. Curve d) is characteristic for soft polymers, e.g. for thermoplastics at a temperature close to their glass transition temperature or plasticised polymers, which do not yet show rubber elastic behavior. 

The above equations gave reasonably reliable M value of SBS. Another approach to modeling the elastic behavior of SBS triblock copolymer has been developed [202]. The first one, the simple model, is obtained by a modification of classical rubber elasticity theory to account for the filler effect of the domain. The major objection was the simple application of mbber elasticity theory to block copolymers without considering the effect of the domain on the distribution function of the mbber matrix chain. In the derivation of classical equation of rabber elasticity, it is assumed that the chain has Gaussian distribution function. The use of this distribution function considers that aU spaces are accessible to a given chain. However, that is not the case of TPEs because the domain also takes up space in block copolymers. 

Elastomers are often blended with plastics either to improve the impact resistance or to develop new materials having both plastic and elastic behavior. When the elastomer in the blend is dynamically vulcanized, the product is called a thermoplastics vulcanizate (TPV). Blends with unvulcanized mbber phase are usually known as thermoplastic elastomers. TPVs are discussed in another section of this book. This section will deal with recent developments in rubber-plastic blends. 

Mineral oils also known as extender oils comprise of a wide range of minimum 1000 different chemical components (Figure 32.6) and are used extensively for reduction of compound costs and improved processing behaviors.They are also used as plastisizers for improved low temperature properties and improved rubber elasticity. Basically they are a mixture of aromatic, naphthanic, paraffinic, and polycyclic aromatic (PCA) materials. Mostly, 75% of extender oils are used in the tread, subtread, and shoulder 10%-15% in the sidewall approximately 5% in the inner Uner and less than 10% in the remaining parts for a typical PCR tire. In total, one passanger tire can contain up to 700 g of oil. 

These deductions from basic facts of observation interpreted according to the rigorous laws of thermodynamics do not alone offer an insight into the structural mechanism of rubber elasticity. Supplemented by cautious exercise of intuition in regard to the molecular nature of rubberlike materials, however, they provide a sound basis from which to proceed toward the elucidation of the elasticity mechanism. The gap between the cold logic of thermodynamics applied to the thermoelastic behavior of rubber and the implications of its... 

Synthetic and natural rubbers are amorphous polymers, typically with glass transition temperatures well below room temperature. Physical or chemical crosslinks limit chain translation and thus prevent viscous flow. The resulting products exhibit elastic behavior, which we exploit in such diverse applications as hoses, automotive tires, and bicycle suspension units. 

Until recently ( 1 5 ) investigations utilizing model networks had been limited to functionalities of four or less. Networks with higher functionality are predicted by the various theories of rubber elasticity to display unique equilibrium tensile behavior. As such, these multifunctional networks provide insight into the controversy surrounding these theories. The present study addresses the synthesis and equilibrium tensile behavior of endlinked model multifunctional poly(diraethylsilox-ane) (PDMS) networks. 

The stress relaxation properties of a high molecular weight polybutadiene with a narrow molecular weight distribution are shown in Figure 1. The behavior is shown in terms of the apparent rubber elasticity stress relaxation modulus for three differrent extension ratios and the experiment is carried on until rupture in all three cases. A very wide rubber plateau extending over nearly 6 decades in time is observed for the smallest extension ratio. However, the plateau is observed to become narrower with increasing extension... 

Chain flexibility also effects the ability of a polymer to crystallize. Excessive flexibility in a polymer chain as in polysiloxanes and natural rubber leads to an inability of the chains to pack. The chain conformations required for packing cannot be maintained because of the high flexibility of the chains. The flexibility in the cases of the polysiloxanes and natural rubber is due to the bulky Si—O and rxv-olelin groups, respectively. Such polymers remain as almost completely amorphous materials, which, however, show the important property of elastic behavior. 

An analysis of the transfer function of this system can be made using the matrix method described by Okano et al. (1987). However, the stiffness of the rubber pieces is highly nonlinear. Okano et al. (1987) found that the measured transfer function does not fit theoretical predictions based on a constant stiffness. A nonlinear elastic behavior must be taken into account. Another problem with the metal-stack system is that the resonance frequency is around... 

Elastomers are polymeric substances with rubber-like behavior at ambient temperatures. This means they are more or less elastic, extensible, and flexible. They can be exfended by relafively small force and return to the original length (or near it) after the force is removed. Rubber-like behavior can be observed in plastics, but under different conditions, such as at elevated temperatures or in swollen state. These are not true elastomers, however. 

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