A Finite Strain Thermo-Chemo-Mechanical Coupled Model for Filled Rubber

Abstract

Rubber parts are strongly sensitive to thermal effects and to the state of cure of the material which can evolve during utilisation. We propose a finite strain thermochemo-mechanical model to represent the phenomena related to this coupling. This model is based on the thermodynamics of irreversible processes and on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into a mechanical part, a thermal part and a chemical part. The originality of the present approach lies in the introduction of the mechanical contribution in the crosslinking process. Furthermore, the chosen global numerical approach allows us to treat this strong coupling behaviour in a general and robust manner.