The influence of molecular weight on the large deformation behavior of SBS triblock copolymer elastomers

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Abstract
Engineering stress–strain properties were determined for two polystyrene–polybutadiene–polystyrene (SBS) triblock copolymer elastomers, one consisting of blocks of molecular weight 7000/43000/7000 and the other, 16000/85000/17000. In addition, various blends of these two materials were prepared in order to vary the number‐average molecular weight of the blocks in a systematic way while maintaining polystyrene content in the range of 25–28 wt %. Samples were solvent cast from benzene or benzene/heptane mixtures and annealed before testing. Ring specimens were extended to rupture at varying strain rates on an Instron tensile tester. Results indicate that number‐average molecular weight has a marked influence on stress–strain behavior over the range of molecular weights and testing conditions employed. The observed behavior is consistent with a systematic increase in the proportion of a mixed interfacial region between the pure polystyrene and polybutadiene domain as molecular weight decreases. The interfacial region contributes to mechanical hystersis, rate sensitivity, and toughness in the SBS materials. Scanning electron photomicrographs of fracture surfaces also showed systematic changes with molecular weight.

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