Partially crystallized elastomer as a nanocomposite model

Data on the influence of crystallization on the mechanical properties of elastomers — the elastic modulus, the relaxation properties, in particular, restorability in compression, and the tensile strength — have been generalized. These data have been compared to those on the influence of active fillers and a much higher crystallization efficiency has been shown. The size of single crystals has been evaluated for most crystallizable rubbers. It has been inferred that the nanosize of single crystals of elastomers and their direct bond with the elastomer matrix influence the mechanical properties of elastomer materials. In considering a partially crystallized elastomer as a nanocomposite model, one can formulate requirements imposed on efficient nanofillers for elastomer materials. __________ Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 78, No. 5, pp. 19–23, September–October, 2005.