Analysis of the Effect of Shape Factor on Cork–Rubber Composites under Small Strain Compression

Abstract

Like other types of elastomers, different geometries of the same cork–rubber material present different mechanical behaviour when subject to compression between bonded plates. To validate the application of Hooke’s Law on cork–rubber materials, under compression at small strains, a set of experimental and numerical analyses has been conducted. Using finite element analysis, a methodology is described to relate frictionless and frictional compression between a cork–rubber sample and loading plates. Based on that, the performance of square cross-section blocks with other dimensions can be evaluated. The results obtained by this approach showed a good agreement with experimental compression tests and with outputs from other models available in the literature relating Young and apparent compression moduli.

Systems Engineering: Availability and Reliability

“…Based on that, the performance of square cross-section blocks with other dimensions can be evaluated. The results obtained by this approach [16] showed a good agreement with experimental compression tests and with outputs from other models available in the literature relating Young and apparent compression moduli. However, future research should address the effect of higher shape factors, other cross-section shapes (rectangular and other polygons), and the friction coefficient between sample and loading surfaces.…”

“…However, if a linear stress-strain relationship at small strains is observed, Hooke's Law can be adopted for that strain range. As expressed by Lopes et al [16], like other types of elastomers, different geometries of the same cork-rubber material present different mechanical behavior when subject to compression between bonded plates. To validate the application of Hooke's Law on cork-rubber materials, under compression at small strains, a set of experimental and numerical analyses has been conducted [16].…”

“…As expressed by Lopes et al [16], like other types of elastomers, different geometries of the same cork-rubber material present different mechanical behavior when subject to compression between bonded plates. To validate the application of Hooke's Law on cork-rubber materials, under compression at small strains, a set of experimental and numerical analyses has been conducted [16]. Using finite element analysis, a methodology is described to relate frictionless and frictional compression between a cork-rubber sample and loading plates.…”

Safeguarding Cork’s Beauty and Longevity: Innovations in Deposition of Protective Thin Films

“…But to allow the use of cork in a particular type of applications, this material has to be enriched to accomplish the task successfully. Previous studies on this subject include a review on cork composites [12] and references studying cork composites for specific applications, namely the influence of polyurethane (U030) as a cork grain adhesive on the thermal insulation properties, flexibility, and mechanical properties of the RC16 cork [13], corkrubber composites' dynamic behavior, namely in vibration isolation applications [14][15][16][17], a natural cork/potato periderm for use in elastomer composites for energy absorption [18], and other cork-based composites, seeking to understand their ability to store electrical charge [19], to mention a few. However, when cork is exposed to sunlight, it suffers from rapid ageing and discoloration due to the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun [1].…”