Full-Field Analysis of Strain-Induced Crystallization in Natural Rubber

Abstract

Since its discovery, X-ray diffraction is the main experimental method used to investigate the strain-induced crystallization of natural rubber. However, this method only provides a single value of the crystallinity at a specific spot. Moreover, the measurement represents a mean value over the beam area. Recently, an alternative method has been proposed based on the fact that the strain-induced crystallization is an exothermal phenomenon. In this study, the latter method is used to map the crystallinity using a single mechanical loading.