Dependence of some mechanical properties of elastic bands on the length and load time

We present a study of the maximum stress supported by elastics bands of nitrile as a function of the natural length and the load time. The maximum tension of rupture and the corresponding variation in length were found by measuring the elongation of an elastic band when a mass is suspended from its free end until it reaches the breaking point. The work done by non-conservative forces was calculated by means of mechanical hysteresis cycles. Measurement of the hysteresis cycle was performed by the controlled addition and subtraction of masses to produce the band’s stretching and contraction processes. It was found that the tension of rupture of an elastic band is independent of its natural length and that it decreases linearly with increasing load time. The mechanical work lost in the hysteresis cycle increases linearly with the natural length of the elastic band. An analysis using a state equation of the thermodynamics of rubber bands was performed obtaining good agreement with the experimental results. Also shown is the dependence on the work done by non-conservative forces in repetitive processes of cyclic hysteresis. This experiment is suitable to be implemented in experimental physics courses as an example of showing the characteristics of elastic materials; furthermore it can be done with inexpensive equipment.