Studies of recovery—A new dimension in understanding the viscoelasticity of elastomers

• Published in: Polymer testing Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 39 - 58
• Main Authors: Prabhu, A.M., Birley, A.W., Sigley, R.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1991; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; deformation; Exact sciences and technology; Physical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Rheological properties; Technology of polymers; viscoelasticity; Viscoelasticity; Reversibility; Elastomer; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 0142-9418; 1873-2348
• DOI: 10.1016/0142-9418(91)90040-5

Wide differences in reversibility of stress and strain may be anticipated depending upon the type and nature of relaxation processes in an elastomer. The compound can undergo viscoelastic deformation or deterioration over a period of time due to temperature and a variety of service conditions. In order to study these differences, relaxation and recovery behaviour of various compounds are compared. Compression stress relaxation data at various temperature conditions, which involves both physical and chemical processes of relaxation, can be difficult to interpret without separating the one from the other. Recovery, which is a measure of the extent to which a specimen regains its original dimensions after release from compression, under the same environmental conditions as applied during the compression stage, can provide a technique to assess the contributions due to the different processes in relaxation.