Tear Formation and Propagation in Elastomers [130–144]

Abstract

During cyclical deformations of an elastomer small cracks appear on the surface of the sample even though the maximum theoretical stress at peak deformation is much smaller than the tensile strength of the material. Crack growth, the speed of which usually increases with increasing crack length, is often the limiting factor for the useful life of a rubber article. At a defined end of usefulness one speaks of fatigue life. Crack propagation and fatigue life result from stress concentrations at the tips of cracks on the surfaces of rubber articles. These stress concentrations build up at naturally occuring, microscopic surface flaws, extraneous inclusions or inhomogeneities.