Influence of the temperature on the mechanical behaviour of filled and unfilled silicone rubbers

This paper investigates the effects of temperature on the mechanical properties of silicone rubbers. First, differential scanning calorimetry tests are performed to determine the crystallization and melting temperatures. Second, mechanical tests are carried out at different temperatures above that of crystallization, up to 150 degrees C. In this temperature range, the silicone rubbers exhibit entropic behaviour. The neo-hookean model is used to fit the mechanical response. Third, the effects of temperature on the hysteresis, the stress softening and the stress relaxation are studied. Strong differences are observed and discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.