NYLON-6 RUBBER BLENDS .3. STRESSES IN AND AROUND RUBBER PARTICLES ANDCAVITIES IN A NYLON MATRIX

The stress field around a rubber particle and a cavitated particle in a nylon/rubber blend has been studied using an analytical and a finite element approach. Attention was paid to the influence of the mechanic al properties of the dispersed phase and the applied stress state. The results show that the choice of the bulk modulus of the elastomer is crucial. It appeared that especially with a triaxial stress, the Von M ises stress increased strongly upon cavitation (a more than five-fold increase close to the particle) while the hydrostatic stress only incr eased slightly. Also, the stresses in particles in the neighbourhood o f a cavity have been calculated. Stresses in particles lying in or clo se to the equatorial plane of the cavity were higher than stresses in the other particles. Therefore, propagation of cavitation is most like ly to occur perpendicular to the applied stress.