Elastomeric systems having unusual memory characteristics

A process for reshaping a sulfonated elastomeric article from a sulfonated elastomeric blend composition, which includes a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer having about 10 to about 50 meq. metal sulfonate groups/100 grams of said neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer and about 2 to about 40 parts by weight of a non-volatile preferential plasticizer per 100 parts by weight of said neutralized sulfonated elstomeric polymer, said process comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying sufficient pressure at room temperature to said sulfonated elastomeric article in its original shape so as to deform said sulfonated elastomeric article into a distorted or compressed shape;
• (b) heating said sulfonated elastomeric article in said distorted or compressed shape to a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. under said pressure and maintaining said sulfonated elastomeric article in said distorted or compressed shape at about 50.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. for at least about 1 minute;
• (c) cooling said heated sulfonated elastomeric article in such distorted or compressed shape from about 50.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. to room temperature;
• and
• (d) removing said pressure at room temperature from said sulfonated elastomeric article in said distorted or compressed shape.