Influence of temperature and composition on the linear viscoelastic properties of synthetic binders

This paper deals with the influences that mineral oil, resin, and SBS tribl ock copolymer concentrations exert on the linear viscoelastic properties of these materials in a wide range of temperatures, with the overall objectiv e of formulating pigmentable synthetic binders with adequate mechanical pro perties. The relationship between microstructure and linear viscoelastic pr operties is also studied. Three different regions, transition to glassy, pl ateau and beginning of the terminal region may be observed in the dynamic m echanical spectrum of these systems, depending on SBS concentration and tem perature. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests confirm that the synthetic bind ers studied are not thermorheologically simple materials as a consequence o f the formation of a multiphase system. A polymer-rich phase with high elas tic properties and a resin-rich phase with predominant viscous characterist ics were found. At high polymer concentration a continuous polymer-rich pha se appears, while the continuous resin-rich phase is obtained at low polyme r concentration or high resin content.