Effects of nonlinear hyper‐viscoelasticity and matrix/fiber debonding on the mechanical properties of short carbon fiber/styrene‐butadiene rubber composites under cyclic uniaxial loading using a multiscale finite element model

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The present research outlines the novel finite element analysis of green tire tread compounds based on solution styrene‐butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber (SSBR/BR) reinforced with a hybrid silica/carbon black filler system. For this purpose, a series of micromodels using representative volume elements (RVEs) were developed. The silica/carbon black ratio with a constant value of the reinforcement and considering periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) were established. The distribution of the reinforcing fillers in the matrix was inspired by transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs. A nonlinear hyperviscoelastic model was considered for the matrix and interphase zones and a linear elastic model for the reinforcement phase to predict the dissipation behavior at a moderate to high strain regime. To confirm the accuracy of the proposed model, the RVEs of hybrid systems were simulated and then compared with experimental data. The results showed that the proposed model is capable to predict the mechanical properties of rubber compounds. The presence of agglomerated fillers resulted in an increase in the dissipation behavior. This was confirmed by rubber process analyzer (RPA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) results.Highlights Rubber compounds based on SSBR/BR reinforced with silica and/or carbon black were prepared by the melt mixing method. A multi‐scale finite element analysis of the particulate composites was developed using RVE. The distribution of reinforcing fillers in the matrix was inspired by TEM. The prediction of the stress–strain behavior of the hybrid composites was confirmed by the results of tensile tests. The simulated dissipation behavior of the composites was compared with RPA and DMTA analyses.

“…The details of the implementation of the above equation in Abaqus are described in our recent work. 47…”

Section: Periodic Boundary Conditionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale modeling of hyperviscoelastic behavior of particulate rubber composites based on hybrid silica/carbon black filler system

Barghamadi,

Ghoreishy,

Karrabi

et al. 2023

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Styrene–butadiene rubber‐based nanocomposites toughened by carbon nanotubes for wide and linear electromechanical sensing applications

Alam,

Kumar,

Lee

et al. 2023

The contribution from specific interactions between rubber and filler sometimes plays a crucial role in the mechanical reinforcement and electromechanical sensitivities of rubber composites. This research explores the physical, mechanical, and electromechanical properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Mechanical, thermodynamic, and scanning electron microscopy studies reveal that CNTs primarily enhance the mechanical properties through physical interactions with the rubber. Notably, π‐stacking interactions between the aromatic π‐electrons in SBR and the delocalized π‐electrons in CNTs contribute to significant improvements in mechanical strength. For instance, adding 4 phr (per hundred grams of rubber) of CNTs results in an impressive 871% increase in fracture toughness compared to unfilled rubber. These composites also exhibit remarkable stress and strain improvements even with small amounts of CNTs, making them suitable for robust strain sensing applications. Specifically, the composite containing 3 phr of CNTs demonstrates superior strain sensitivity (2.87 < GF < 48.62), a wide detection range (0% < Δε < 187%), and excellent linearity (0.927 < R2 < 0.995). Lower CNT content enhances sensitivities but reduces overall linearity, while higher CNT content improves linearity but decreases sensitivity. Moreover, these composites perform exceptionally well under compressive forces, even at a 0.5 N applied force. Given their excellent response to mechanical forces and strain, these composites hold promise for applications like electronic skin, strain sensors, and energy‐harvesting devices.Highlights Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as reinforcing fillers in SBR composites. CNTs significantly improve physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. Primarily, π‐stacking may be involved in enhancing these properties. The composites exhibit strong strain and force‐sensing capabilities. These composites could be valuable for wearable electronics in the future.

A multiscale scheme for homogenization to characterize the flexural performances of injection molded short glass fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone composites

Zhan,

Wu,

Zhao

et al. 2024

The characterization of the flexural performances of short glass fiber reinforced polyether‐ether‐ketone (SGFR‐PEEK) composites fabricated by injection molding is a crucial and challenging task due to the process‐induced fiber orientation at different locations, resulting layered shell‐core‐shell microstructures and exhibiting large variations in mechanical performances. This article proposes a method for predicting the bending performance of SGFR‐PEEK and indicates the influence of fiber orientation on its bending behavior. This article reports a new scheme that combines multiscale homogenization with periodic microstructures and presents an experimental investigation of the flexural properties of SGFR‐PEEK composites. The distributions of fiber orientation through the thickness extracted from the micro‐computed tomography (μCT) were analyzed and reproduced with a layered skin‐shell‐core structure along the thickness at meso‐scale finite element model within representative volume elements (RVEs) of the macroscopic composites. Then, the effective properties of the RVEs were predicted using the homogenization method with the periodic boundary condition. The elastic modulus of skin‐shell‐core layers in the direction of flow are 4260.51, 4541.27, 4628.52, and 4630.84 MPa, respectively. The classical laminate theory (CLT) and the second homogenization implementation were then utilized in conjunction with the obtained mechanical properties of RVEs to predict the effective macrostructural behavior. The flexural modulus of the composite material was determined to be 5448.7 MPa through a three‐point bending test. The results obtained through lamination plate reinforcement theory and finite element simulation were 5887.4 and 5785.9 MPa, respectively, showing good agreement with the experimental findings. It is shown that the proposed multiscale scheme yields satisfactory agreement with experimental measurements. In addition, the effect of layered skin‐shell‐core microstructures on the flexural behavior was discussed.Highlights RVEs of layered shell‐core‐shell microstructures were generated with specified fiber orientations. The homogenization scheme with the periodic boundary condition was adopted to accurately predict each layer mechanical properties. The proposed multiscale scheme was compared with experimental results and yielded satisfactory predictions. The effect of layered skin‐shell‐core microstructures on the flexural behavior was thoroughly studied by the multiscale analytical approach.