Network formation of low molecular weight ‘liquid’ polymers studied by gel permeation chromatography and stress-strain analysis according to Mooney-Rivlin

Abstract

The rheological and mechanical properties of elastomers are defined by their different networks: The crosslink network and the filler network. The crosslink network is influenced by the polymer structure. The filler network – particularly in case of silica as filler – depends on the interaction between the filler particles and the polymer. Liquid polymers can affect these networks by their lower molecular weight and with certain types by their functional groups. The goal of the present work is to gain a better understanding of the network formation: 1. During the sulfur curing of pure liquid polybutadienes with different concentrations of sulfur and curatives, and 2. Through differently added liquid polymer-silica-masterbatches in sulfur cured silica/SSBR mixtures. For the first point, the pre-cured liquid polymer samples were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. The results indicate an association between weight concentration and the polymer chain length. For the second point, stress-strain analysis according to Mooney-Rivlin provides information about the interaction of liquid polymers with silica and the main polymer when it is added differently throughout the masterbatch approach.