The effect of slow physical relaxation processes on the properties of elastomers over a wide temperature range

The relaxation properties of crosslinked elastomers and of rubbers based onSKMS-10SKN-18 + SKN-16 andSKN-40, modified with surface-active agents were investigated by relaxation spectrometry. Not only the rapid, but also the slow physical relaxation processes, related to fluctuational decomposition of the microblocks of supersegmental and supermolecular structures (λ-processes) and to the thermal mobility of the active filler particles (ϕ-processes) had a significant effect on such elastomer properties as capability for molecular orientation and durability to multiple strain at temperature of T>Tg, on maintaining high-elasticity properties at low temperatures etc. Surface active agents are efficacious modifiers, affecting the time and energy of activation of λ-and ϕ-relaxation processes, the effect of the surfactants being increased with a temperature decrease. A scheme for predicting these processes in a low temperature region was developed and the temperature boundaries for reliable prediction of relaxation processes were determined.