EVALUATION OF THE THERMAL-DIFFUSIVITY OF RUBBER COMPOUNDS THROUGH THEGLASS-TRANSITION RANGE

The thermal diffusivity of several natural and synthetic rubber compou nds was measured in the temperature range from 125 to 350 K with an au tomatic device. In every case, a step change has been found in the the rmal diffusivity at the glass transition range. In partially crystalli ne elastomers, the thermal diffusivity shows a minimum, which agrees v ery well with the melting temperature of crystallites. Also, new estim ations of thermal diffusivity of some elastomeric compounds are given at above and below the glass transition temperature. (C) 1997 John Wil ey & Sons, Inc.