Molecular dynamics of elastomers investigated by DMTA and the NMR-MOUSE®

A series of elastomers, consisting of different polymers and crosslink densities, is investigated by dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and NMR relaxation in an inhomogeneous field by the NMR-MOUSE(R). A broad range of molecular mobilities and therefore variation in the glass transition temperature is covered by use of polymers with different side groups. The molecular mobility of every system is also investigated by the frequency-temperature superposition principle. Reduced variables are deduced from analysis of the DMTA results. Comparison of both DMTA and NMR results leads to consistent conclusions. The temperature dependence of the transverse relaxation time can be predicted by the use of an empirical power law presented in this paper and the WLF-equation.