Damage simulation for the lifespan of elastomers

Abstract

The principles of continuum damage mechanics (CDM) are employed to solve the fatigue damage characteristics of elastomers. In so doing, both the damage strain energy release rate and the elastic energy, as a function of strain versions, of a damaged material rendered according to Ogden model, are put forward. Further, the damage evolution low is set up to express the fatigue lifespan in terms of the nominal strain amplitude subject to cyclic loading. Fatigue tests of a carbon rubber were performed to stipulate the fatigue life-dependence on the nominal stress amplitude, and to compare experimental data with the theoretical formula derived for the fatigue life. To get the stress-strain curve, uniaxial tension tests on a carbon-filled natural rubber were realized. For the said substance, material parameters were defined by fitting the experimental stressstrain curve to Ogden constitutive simulation.