Activation energy and thermo-mechanical properties of trans-polyisoprene and liquid cis-polyisoprene blends

In this study, elastomeric blends of trans-polyisoprene and liquid cis-polyisprene have been prepared by solution casting. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements have been performed in order to determine crystallinity. The dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) technique has been used to obtain the storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the blends. The apparent activation energy of the glass transition temperature has also been determined using Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) equation. Results indicate that crystallinity, storage modulus and apparent activation energy decrease with decreasing trans-polyisoprene content while glass transition temperatures show opposite behavior.