Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 35: P7: Hydrogels and Elastomers

CPP 35.5: Poster

Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 14:00–16:00, Poster C

Finite element analysis of filled elastomer networks responding to static external stress — •Sergej Berdnikow and Reinhard Hentschke — Bergische Universität, 42279 Wuppertal, Germany

Technical elastomers acquire most of their mechanical strength through fillers forming spanning branched networks throughout the elastomer matrix. Depending on filler concentration and processing conditions the filler network may consist of fractal flocs, giving rise to the unique and often desirable mechanical properties of rubber materials. Here we present a finite-element based model of filler networks embedded in an elastic matrix subjected to a static external stress. It is calculated how the network responds to the rupture of highly loaded network junctions caused by the external forces. We compare quasi-fractal filler networks, i.e. filler networks possessing fractal structure below a certain length scale, which are often found in for instance tire tread materials, to random filler networks at otherwise identical conditions. We observe that the so called "occluded rubber" effect, which is present for the quasi-fractal networks, is destroyed upon random reordering of the filler. In addition, significant load redistribution during filler network damage can be seen when the filler structure is quasi-fractal. For random fillers this load redistribution is almost completely absent.