Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.87, No.8, 1204-1208, 2003
Filled elastomers: Mid- and Near-IR Spectroscopic Determination of Rubber Dimensions in Composite in Unstretched State and Under Uniaxial Extension
A Fourier transform IR investigation of reinforced elastomers is presented. The work is essentially carried out in the near-IR range, that allows the analysis of thick samples. The dependence of the average rubber phase dimensions on the filler loading is analyzed. The matrix chain deformation processes can be evaluated by looking at the strain dependence of the intensity of specific absorption bands of the polymer.