Some Properties of Two Vulcanized Pure Gum Compounds at Low Temperatures
Abstract (1) High and normal sulfur pure gum compounds became board-like and brittle within a few minutes when cooled at −60° C, yet when tested at this temperature they had an elongation of over 500% and tensile strength of over 5,000 lbs. per sq. in. (2) With decreasing temperature the two compounds gave increasing tensile strength and modulus and decreasing elongation. (3) Relatively high combined sulfur, i. e., up to over 8% on the rubber, was accompanied by a marked increase in hardness, even at temperatures no lower than −30° C. (4) A substitution of deproteinized rubber for smoked sheet appeared to give greater resistance to hardening at temperatures down to −40° C. (5) Unvulcanized, unmilled smoked sheet showed greater resistance to hardening on rapid cooling than the vulcanized compounds at all temperatures tested. This phenomenon, however, is not to be confused with that of ordinary frozen rubber, which is commonly observed at temperatures above −30° C.