Temperature Retraction Testers

Rubbers and elastomeric materials are characterized by their ability to undergo large amounts of deformation and then return to their original state. However, as temperatures drop, this ability is decreased until its glass transition temperature is reached. Cooling below this temperature will produce a stiff, brittle material. The temperature retraction or TR test involves stretching a rubber sample and cooling to -70°C and then measuring the retraction in length as the temperature in slowly increased. This type of testing is particularly important when rubber materials are exposed to cooler climates such as in Scandinavia.