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Characterization of network segment density from compression modulus measurements on swollen elastomers
Author(s) -
Cooper Anthony R.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760302406
Subject(s) - materials science , swelling , elastomer , rubber elasticity , composite material , modulus , solvent , polymer , compression (physics) , characterization (materials science) , young's modulus , elasticity (physics) , natural rubber , compression set , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry
Abstract The characterization of network segment density of elastomers is discussed. Normally equilibrium solvent swelling is used as long as the polymer‐solvent interaction parameter χ is available. However, χ is often not known or may be a function of the network segment density, or composition for a polymer whose structure is changed upon aging. The technique of measuring the modulus in tension or compression on solvent‐swollen samples allows the network segment density to be calculated from the theory of rubber elasticity. This circumvents the problems associated with the solvent swelling technique. The modification of a commercially available thermomechanical analyzer is described, to enable compression modulus measurements on solvent swollen elastomers to be performed.