At what temperature does significant alteration occur in the properties of elastomers due to thermal effects?

Elastomers are materials known for their flexible and rubber-like properties, which are due to their molecular structure. As temperature increases, the thermal energy influences the movement of the polymer chains within elastomers, which can lead to significant changes in their physical properties. Typically, elastomers can maintain their desirable characteristics at lower temperatures, where they exhibit rigidity if the temperature is below their glass transition temperature.

At temperatures above 50ºC, the increase in thermal energy can result in the softening of the elastomeric material, reducing its mechanical strength and altering its elasticity and compressibility. At this elevated temperature, molecular mobility increases, allowing the chains to move more freely, which impacts the overall performance of the material, leading to significant degradation in properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and resistance to deformation.

The other temperature ranges mentioned may not be sufficient to induce such drastic alterations in the material's properties. Below 25ºC, elastomers typically perform well, maintaining their elasticity and resilience. The temperature range between 25ºC and 50ºC represents a milder thermal effect where some softening might begin, but it does not typically reach the point of significant alteration seen at temperatures over 50ºC. Thus, the threshold where