The Theory of Permanent Set at Elevated Temperatures in Natural and Synthetic Rubber Vulcanizates

摘要

A molecular theory is developed to describe quantitatively the permanent set taking place in thin samples of vulcanized natural and synthetic rubbers held at constant extension at elevated temperatures. Permanent set is considered to be the result of the formation, through the action of molecular scission and cross‐linking reactions, of a dual molecular network in the rubber sample, in which the network chains are of two types: chains which are at equilibrium when the sample is at its unstretched length, and chains which are at equilibrium when the sample is at its stretched length. According to the theory the amount of permanent set in a rubber sample is a function of only two quantities: the relative ratio of the number of chains of the two types, and the elongation at which the sample was held. Experimental data on permanent set for various rubber types and under different conditions are presented and are shown to be in good agreement with the theory.