Stress relaxation and the domain structure of thermoplastic elastomer

[[abstract]]©1988 Wiley - The relationship between the stress relaxation phenomena and domain structure of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was studied. Two representative thermoplastic elastomers: styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS); and 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene (1,2-PB), representing the amorphous glassy domain and crystalline domain, respectively, were tested in different atmospheres and temperatures. Results show that the structure of the domain has a significant effect on the stress relaxation curve. It is found that the way the glassy domain is formed determines the failure of the domain and hence the stress relaxation rate.[[department]]化學工程學