New fatigue test sample: Lifetime prediction of carbon black filled elastomers based on the probability distribution of particles

Abstract

In this paper, a new test specimen for fatigue testing is described. Most of the durability tests for elastomers are performed on dumbbell test specimen. Due to the load, the dumbbell shows stress concentration in the transition area. The newly concave test sample was developed through specific geometric changes in the dumbbell sample. These changes have minimized the stress concentration at transition area. The position of the fracture planes of the dumbbell and the concave test specimens are an indication of the stress concentration effect, since the concave did not occur any cracks in the transition area.The lifetime prediction of the dumbbell and the newly developed concave test sample at different load levels shows very good accordance with the measured values.