Physical properties of elastomers for design and development

The measurement of physical properties underlies the design of products, the development of rubber compounds and polyurethane formulations, and much of quality assurance. However, the properties considered for these purposes have changed little in over half a century. With the development of new design methods and increasing demands on industry in terms of specifications and quality, many of the current test methods and resulting properties have little direct relevance. It is part of the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) strategy on Research and Development to encourage work in this field and this communication outlines some of the reasons for change.