Characterization of isomeric elastomers using thermal analysis

Many of the isomers of polybutadiene and polyisoprene elastomers can be characterized by thermal analysis.T _g is sensitive to side chain units (1,2 or 3,4 structure) for both polymers. Crystallinity measurements can characterizecis andtrans isomers. DMA and DEA master curves provide an idea of the heterogeneity of the chain units from the width of the loss factor curves in theT _g region. Thermal and thermooxidative degradation, as followed by DSC and DTG, can differentiate specific natural and synthetic isomers of polyisoprenes in raw and vulcanized states.