The Stress-Strain Relationship in Ebonite
Authors: Davies B. L. 
Published: February 2011

1. A simple “extensometer” has been devised for the more accurate measurement of small elongations in hard rubber samples, thus enabling stress-strain curves to be obtained on a standard tensile testing machine. 2. The form of the curve has been described more fully than heretofore. It shows that hard rubber does not deform exactly in accordance with Hooke's Law, but exhibits plastic flow. 3. Deviations from Hooke's Law shown by the experimental curves depend upon the speed of stretching. Increased speed of elongation has been found to give higher readings of tensile strength. 4. Prolonged mastication of the rubber gives a weaker product, similar effects being obtainable by the use of a neutral softener. 5. The effects of increasing time of vulcanization have been described. The range of curves showing transition from over-cured soft rubber to ebonite indicates that the hard rubber curve is possibly related to the initial portion of the soft rubber curve. The plasticity of the overvulcanized rubber, as indicated by the deviation from Hooke's Law, increased with time of vulcanization until the “semi-ebonite” stage was reached. 6. The leather-like “semi-ebonites” differed from soft and hard rubber inasmuch as they were extremely sensitive to small changes in time of vulcanization, and inasmuch as their plasticity was such that the velocity of plastic flow was comparable with the rate of pulling (1 in. per minute), at a particular point in the test they experienced a large elongation at constant load, i. e., the velocity of flow was equal to the speed of pulling. Their plasticity decreased with further vulcanization. 7. The longest cures in the above-mentioned group gave products which were rigid at room temperature. Since these must be more resistant to shock than vulcanizates in a higher state of cure, it seems that the best technical cure of ebonite for mechanical purposes is that which gives maximum tensile strength combined with the property of undergoing considerable plastic flow (of the order of 5 per cent) at the constant maximum load, and at an arbitrarily fixed rate of stretching, the temperature being commensurate with the thermal conditions of service. Such a cure is clearly indicated by the stress-strain curve. 8. Accelerated ebonite mixings are more sensitive to time of cure than rubber-sulfur stocks without accelerators. An accelerator may produce very little effect on the tensile strength and breaking elongation, but may yield a stock which “scorches” readily. This prevulcanization was detrimental to the mechanical properties of the vulcanizate, even though it was so slight that its presence was not detected during normal processing. 9. Mineral rubber in ebonite stocks has been shown to accelerate the cure as indicated by the stress-strain curve. 10. Stocks containing high loadings of gas black gave vulcanizates which were weak and brittle. The effect of the black on the stiffness was similar to that produced by further cure. 11. The stress-strain curve provides a reliable means whereby stocks containing different accelerators and other compounding ingredients may be compared at equivalent states of vulcanization.