Crack initiation in filled natural rubber: experimental database and macroscopic observations

Elisabeth Ostoja-Kuczynski (1) , Pierre Charrier (2) , Erwan Verron (1) , Gilles Marckmann (1) , Laurent Gornet (1) , Grégory Chagnon (1)

1 GeM - Institut de Recherche en Génie Civil et Mécanique
2 Trelleborg Modyn

Nowadays, static and dynamic numerical simulations are widely used during design loop of new Automotive Anti-Vibration System components and prediction of their fatigue life is a major objective for rubber manufacturers. The defiinition of an initiation criterion for rubber parts durability must be based on an wide experimental base that should include a large number of different loading conditions. In the present work, two classical test samples are used to develop such an experimental database. In this context, influences of both pre-loading conditions and the non-linear time dependent behaviour of rubber on the fatigue life are highlighted. Then, in regards with these results, an experimental "end-of-life" criterion is establihed. It is based on AVS component specifications, on macroscopic observations during experiments and on the evolution of samples global stiffness. In regards with this criterion, Wöhler curves for rubber are proposed and the approach is validated by examining cracks evolution during experiments conducted under different loading conditions.

Domaines: Mécanique des matériaux [physics.class-ph]

Elisabeth Ostoja-Kuczynski, Pierre Charrier, Erwan Verron, Gilles Marckmann, Laurent Gornet, et al.. Crack initiation in filled natural rubber: experimental database and macroscopic observations. Third European Conference on Constitutive Models for Rubber, Sep 2003, Londres, United Kingdom. pp.41-47. ⟨hal-01004685⟩