Evaluation of the thermal diffusivity of rubber compounds through the glass transition range

The thermal diffusivity of several natural and synthetic rubber compounds was measured in the temperature range from 125 to 350 K with an automatic device. In every case, a step change has been found in the thermal diffusivity at the glass transition range. In partially crystalline elastomers, the thermal diffusivity shows a minimum, which agrees very well with the melting temperature of crystallites. Also, new estimations of thermal diffusivity of some elastomeric compounds are given at above and below the glass transition temperature.