Rubbers finite element analysis

Finite-element analysis rubber M A WAHAB Application to highly elastic materials... 

F. Tabaddot, Finite Element Analysis of Tire eV Rubber Products, ContinuingEducation, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, 1984, Chapt. VI. 

I.H. Gregory and A.H. Muhr, Stiffness and fracture analysis of bonded rubber blocks in simple shear, in Finite Element Analysis of Elastomers, ed. by D. Boast and V.A. Coveny, Professional Engineering Publications, Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom, 1999, pp. 265-274. 

There is a British standard19 giving guidance on the application of rubber testing to finite element analysis. Several of the models for stress strain behaviour are appraised and advice given on selection. The point is made that the models considered treat the rubber as a perfectly elastic material,... 

Whilst it is generally held that an extensometer is necessary, it would be rather less expensive if elongation of dumbbells could be obtained from crosshead movement. Tay and Teoh76 devised a numerical scheme whereby the stress strain characteristics could be derived from measured load versus total elongation data from a finite element analysis of the dumb-bell shape. Their method was shown to work to within 10% of values measured with an infra red extensometer for two fairly soft plastics and a silicone rubber. To be effective, the tensile test must be carried out with grips which essentially prevent any slippage and it is, of course, necessary to have the computing facility set up to carry out the analysis. 

There are currently no ISO standard methods for biaxial extension and such measurements are rarely made in industrial laboratories. However, biaxial stressing is of value in the consideration of the theory of elasticity and is preferred by many for producing data for input to finite element programmes, as well as being involved in certain practical applications of rubber. The British standard for finite element analysis on rubber19 outlines the two approaches, equibiaxial stretching of a flat sheet and inflation of a flat sheet. The principles of these are illustrated in Figure 8.14. 

BS 903-5, 2004. Guide to the application of rubber testing to finite element analysis. 

Preliminary Value of Predicted Gc. The fracture model and the finite-element analysis lead to a predicted value of Gc of 5.5 kj/m2 for a rubber-toughened epoxy with a volume fraction of rubbery particles of 20%. In previous experimental studies (8), a rubber-toughened epoxy possessing the microstructure and mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix modeled in the present work was prepared, and Gc was measured. The measured value was 5.9 kj/m2 (8). The predicted value is in good agreement with the experimental value. 

Perhaps the first application of such an approach was Findley s Finite Element Analysis (Findley, 1972) of the tearing energy of a crack in several plane stress cases. The widespread adoption of Finite Element Analysis now enables the energy release rate of a static crack to be evaluated for rubber... 

The subject of filler reinforcement of rubbers has been an area of interest to the rubber industry for more than a century. Various models had been proposed in the past to explain the filler reinforcement in vulcanized rubber. The use of modern finite element analysis (FEA) and various mathematical models have made further progress to understand the mechanisms of reinforcement in filled vulcanized rubber. But this does not imply that a complete understanding of the subject has been achieved. The detailed effects of filler properties such as surface area and shape on the filler reinforcement are still not completely understood. A detailed understanding of the filler reinforcement should provide an insight into the increase in modulus and strength. 

Finite elements analysis has shown that filler properties such as surface area, shape and structure have strong infiuence on the filler reinforcement and filler rubber properties. Another approach to understand the filler network and the filler-rubber interactions more closely is to study the electrical and mechanical behaviour of the filled elastomer under strain for various different conditions. Jha et have investigated the effect of surface area and structure of filler... 

A general discussion of Finite element analysis can be found in another article. This article is specifically concerned with hyperelastic materials. A common hyperelastic material of importance in adhesion studies and polymer technology is rubber. A hyperelastic material is a material that undergoes large strains and displacements with little changes... 

Modeling is the method of choice for analyzing passenger car cord-reinforced rubber composite behavior. Large scale three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEIA) improves imderstanding of tire performance, including tire and tread behavior when the rubber meets the road. ... 

Y. Huang and A. J. Kinloch, Modeling of the Toughening Mechanisms in Rubber Modified Epoxy Pol5rmers. Part I Finite Element Analysis Studies , J. Mater. Sci. 27, 2753-2762 (1992). 

Hydrocyclones can be manufactured from dough-molded compound fiberglass, cast iron, or sheet metal lined with polyurethane. Metal and fiberglass cyclones are lined with rubber or with hard metal (Ni-hard or 28% chrome white iron). Burgess and Abulnaga (1991) presented a finite element analysis of fiberglass cyclones. 

Dean, G., McCartney, L.N., Crocker, L. and Mera, R. (2009) Modelling long term deformation behaviour of polymers for finite element analysis. Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 38,433-443. 

Stress analysis of failures in the form of cracks due to fatigue of cord-rubber composites was carried out using micromechanical 2D and 3D finite element analysis. The von Mises-Tresca stresses were computed from the results of finite element analysis and compared. Results show that crack type, loading and crack size have a strong effect on the values of the von Mises-Tresca stress. Use of the results of the von Mises-Tresca stress should help in estimating the severity of local failures in cord-rubber composites, it is proposed. 12 refs. 

This paper describes some tests on rubber, which are necessary to build computer models which can be used to simulate the performance of finished rubber goods. It also presents several analytical studies successfully carried out by WIDL on behalf of rubber moulders in Canada and the USA. These examples demonstrate the usefulness and accuracy of virtual testing. Tests are also presented which are aimed to ensure the accuracy of virtual prototypes based on finite element analysis. 14 refs. 

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