Vulcanized Rubber-Based Composite Materials with Temperature/Pressure Sensitivity

The mechanical properties of a vulcanized rubber based composite material obtained through an homogeneous blend of polynorbornene and EPDM, with a Tg of about 0 °C, were evaluated at temperatures between −0 °C to 20 °C. In compression tests the material exhibited elastomeric behaviour with a degree of deformation of 62% under a stress of 100 kgf/cm2 at room temperature and rigid behaviour with a degree of deformation of 1.83% at −10 °C. The Shore A hardness (Hs) was 57 at 20 °C and 87 at −5 °C. The elongation in the tensile test was 480% in the elastomeric state (20 °C) and was kept to 300% even in the rigid state (−5 °C). The temperature/pressure sensitive material undergoes change in its state depending upon temperature and pressure. Spikes made from the material and used for tires and shoes exhibited a satisfactory degree of traction on icy surfaces.