Optical and calorimetric analysis of stress‐induced crystallization in natural rubber networks

Abstract

AbstractStress‐induced crystallization of natural rubber networks is studied. The analysis is carried out using two different experimental techniques and the results are compared. In particular, the microcalorimetric and photoelastic results seem to be in disagreement, but the disagreement can be resolved by assuming that organization phenomena take place even at strains less than the critical value at which thermally detectable crystallization occurs. It is believed that such organization phenomena give rise to highly defective crystallites which behave as nucleation agents in the crystallization process that is induced at larger strains.