The recovery prediction of chloroprene rubber (CR) composite from deformation was Studied using the conventional compression set test and the circular deformation method to chance a linear specimen into a circular shape. The CR composite was thermally aged at 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 degrees C for 1, 6, 15, and 30 days. The recovery was measured as a function of the measuring time (or releasing time) from the compressed or Circular deformation. For the compression set test, because the recovery decreased and then increased as the Measuring time elapsed, it was not reasonable to calculate the instantaneous recovery from the curve fitting equation. For the circular deformation method, the recovery was Continuously increased by increasing the measuring time. The linear correlation for curve fitting was very high and the instantaneous recovery was obtained from the linear curve fitting equation. The half instantaneous recovery time at room temperature could be predicted from the experimental results of the accelerated thermal aging test. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 110: 3-960-3565, 2008