Viscoelastic characterization of rubber with a new dynamic mechanical tester

Problems associated with using conventional dynamic mechanical rheological testers (DMRT) in the viscoelastic measurement of rubber properties include sample-preparation complexities and long sweep-test times. A new DMRT, the RPA 2000, requires no difficult sample-preparation procedures, allows samples to be kept under pressure during testing and supports single-test before-, during- and after-cure testing of samples.
Rubber has both viscous and elastic responses to deformation. A viscous response is proportional to the rate of deformation while an elastic response is proportional to the amount of deformation. [...]