A comparison of two test methods for determining elastomer physical properties

Accurate values of Poisson's ratio for elastomers are necessary, for example, in the stress analysis of rubber components. Poisson's ratio may be expressed in terms of the elastic and bulk moduli of the elastomer. It is shown that errors in Poisson's ratio are small even though errors in experimental values of these moduli can be large.Two methods of measuring the moduli of elastiomers are described. Samples of nominally the same compounding formulation were tested by both methods and the results compared. Sources of error are discussed and comments made regarding the handling of the two experimental facilities.