Stress Softening in Natural Rubber Vulcanizates. Part II. Stress Softening Effects in Pure Gum and Filler Loaded Rubbers

Abstract

Abstract Considerable stress softening occurs in both gum and filler-loaded vulcanizates and when compared at the same stress the extent of softening is similar in both gum and filled vulcanizates. It thus appears that the softening process is mainly due to the rubber phase alone. Apparent differences between the stress—strain hysteresis loops of gum and filler-loaded vulcanizates are traced to an increase in the effective strain in the rubber phase resulting from the presence of black. This is discussed in Part I of this series. The mechanism of stress softening in gum vulcanizates is not well understood. Possible sources include (1) breaking and remaking of crosslinks during extension, (2) residual local orientation of network chains persisting after recovery, and (3) breaking of network chains.