Morphological aspects of rubber fracture and wear

Abstract

Morphology of carbon black (CB)-filled rubber was studied with AFM and SEM and the classification of filler agglomerates, based on their internal structure and filler-matrix interactions, has been proposed. It varies according to the activity of CB and the kind of rubber. It has been shown that fracture of rubber starts either inside filler agglomerates (de-cohesion) or in a filler-matrix interphase (de-adhesion) initiating wear of the material. Microscopic observations correlate well with TGA and EPR data of wear debris collected during friction of rubber. The increase of thermal stability of CB and the appearance of additional spin signals, respectively, for elongated samples or debris, are proposed to be associated with de-cohesion or de-adhesion of the agglomerates. New approach to the fracture of rubber called ''fatal agglomerate concept'' is presented.

A new method for studying the wear properties of novel wear‐resistant ethylene propylene diene monomers/polyamide elastomer material from the perspective of cross‐linked network structure

“…It is necessary to explore the influences of physical factors, macroscopic mechanical properties, complex cross-linked network structure and rheological properties on the friction and wear performance of rubber elastomers. [10][11][12][13] When the stress is applied to produce the deformation process, the adhesion friction occurs between the polymer and the friction surface, and the viscous response to deformation caused by the relative motion between the cross-linked network molecular chains leads to internal friction loss. The change in the cross-linked degree changes the molecular chain structure and viscoelastic properties in the system, which affects the friction behavior and wear properties.…”

“…High elasticity, viscoelasticity, and hysteresis of rubber products are the reasons why the friction and wear behavior of rubber elastomers are different from that of general solids. It is necessary to explore the influences of physical factors, macroscopic mechanical properties, complex cross‐linked network structure and rheological properties on the friction and wear performance of rubber elastomers 10–13 . When the stress is applied to produce the deformation process, the adhesion friction occurs between the polymer and the friction surface, and the viscous response to deformation caused by the relative motion between the cross‐linked network molecular chains leads to internal friction loss.…”