What is stress induced crystallization in rubber?
When we apply stress to rubber, its molecules change dimension. Some may be permanently deformed or “broken” by this action. The more severe the load (stress) on rubber, the more permanent “microfailures” occur within its structure. As the number of “bad” areas increases, the rubber weakens in the region, and things get worse more quickly as it cannot flex (deform) as well as it used to. The rubber so affected is sometimes referred to as having undergone crystallization. That rubber has undergone stress induced crystallization.
