STRAIN-DEPENDENT DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF FILLED RUBBER NETWORK SYSTEMS

A model for strain-dependent dynamic properties of filler loaded rubbe r systems has been derived based on the Links-Nodes-Blobs (L-N-B) mode l of percolation theory. It is the first time that a L-N-B model is ap plied in the study of dynamic properties of filled rubbers. The densit y distribution function of the number of singly connected bonds f(1a) (epsilon) and the apparent yield strain amplitude epsilon(app) that co rresponds to the on-set point of cormption of the filler network are i ntroduced in the model. Simulation results indicate that both f(1a)(ep silon) and epsilon(app) control the break-down and recombination of th e filler network. Two recombination mechanisms are adopted in this stu dy. Results of simulations from the extreme ends recombination mechani sm match the experimental data better than those from the zero strain recombination mechanism. Also, via the proposed model, the strain-depe ndent storage modulus correlates well with the peak loss modulus at a low strain range of around 0.1% to 100%. Moreover, a universal plot of the normalized storage modulus (Z(L-N-B)) as a function of the normal ized Log strain amplitude (epsilon(0)/epsilon(app)) for different rubb er systems is obtained. The loss moduli of systems are also simulated by the L-N-B model.