Orientation birefringence of cross-linked rubber containing low-mass compound

Abstract

Molecular orientation of low-mass compounds (LMCs) in a cross-linked rubber is studied in order to obtain the basic information on the dynamics of LMC molecules in a polymer beyond the glass transition temperature. A small amount of LMCs such as 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), tricresylphosphate (TCP), and styrene-based tackifier (TF) is added into polybutadiene rubber (BR). After cross-linking reaction, the sheet samples are used to evaluate the orientation birefringence during stretching and stress relaxation. The rectangular films, cut out from the cross-linked sheets, are set in a uniaxial stretching machine equipped with an optical system to measure both birefringence and tensile stress simultaneously. It is confirmed that orientation birefringence is proportional to the stress for not only pure cross-linked BR, but also cross-linked BR containing an LMC in a wide range of strain. Even after stretching, the birefringence does not change as far as the sample is kept at a constant strain. The results suggest that the LMC molecules are forced to orient with polymer chains by the strong intermolecular orientation correlation. Because of the LMC orientation, the stress-optical coefficient CR is enhanced by the addition of 5CB and TCP, but depressed by TF. Therefore, the LMC doping can be used to control the birefringence of a retardation film.