English Abstract

Light Scattering Method for Analyzing Deformation Behavior of Elastomers

Hiromu SAITO
Department of Organic and Polymer Materials Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2011),84(3),94-99 General Review in Japanese

Light scattering method is powerful to clarify the change of superstructure of elastomers during the deformation process. Reversible deformation of the domain and the spherulite in polyurethane elastomers were revealed by the reversible change of the light scattering patterns during the stretching and recovery processes. Hv light scattering appeared at low strain and the intensity increased with strain in cross-linked elastomers before the strain-induced crystallization, suggesting that the local ordering is generated at low strain and the ordering increases with strain before the strain-induced crystallization. The orientation of rubber in the two-phase plastic/rubber polymer blends can be estimated separately by analyzing the Hv light scattering caused by the local ordering before the strain-induced crystallization.

Keywords: light scattering, elastomer, deformation, spherulite