Effect of Stereoregularity on Strain-Induced Crystallization and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00116
• Publication Date: 2024-04-30T20:14:58Z
• Authors: Xin Qi; Dongmei Yue
• Keywords: Compression set; Isoprene; Strain (injury)

Revealing the reason for performance difference between synthetic isoprene rubber (IR) and natural (NR) has long been pursued but not yet achieved. In this paper, a series of isomerized rubbers (iNR) with different trans-contents prepared by using thiyl radical-induced isomerization reaction. These iNR samples were used as model to study effect stereoregularity on strain-induced crystallization (SIC) mechanical properties NR. Introducing low trans-configuration (4%) little impact NR, proving that IR NR is mainly due lack nonrubber components rather than stereoregularity. When trans-content was increased 10%, decrease in led reduction crystallinity an increase on-set strain. However, iNR-10% can maintain comparable energy dissipative pseudonetwork formed end groups components. further 19%, completely prevented occurrence SIC. presence still makes iNR-19% show high strength 15.1 MPa. This paper promotes understanding structure helps guide preparation high-performance rubber.