Comparison of results from the more informative version of TMA with other methods of polymer testing

Summary Several characteristics of the topological regions determined by the more informative version of TMA for cured rubbers based on NR/CPE and NR/ENR blends as well as PA6/cured rubber blends correlate with static and dynamic mechanical properties. These rubbers differ substantially in the structure of their network and the related topological structure because CPE does not participate in cross-links when ENR can do it. The physical interactions caused by these additives also vary, due to the different polarity that influences the formation of physical networking junctions. In blends of PA6 and cured rubber the networking junctions are assumed as being physical nature only. From these facts and the above-mentioned results it could be preliminarily concluded that the correlation depends on the formulation and related structure of the composite, and on which of the characteristics have been compared. To understand the reasons for the existence, or lack of, correlation observed, further investigations are needed.