A simple fatigue methodology for filled natural rubbers under positive and negative R ratios

Abstract

This paper suggests a simple methodology to optimize the uniaxial fatigue predictions for filled natural rubbers. In this study, the stress ratio $R$ effect on rubber fatigue life is investigated numerically. For this purpose, a Finite Element model is developed to determine both amplitude and mean stress values in the critical zone of the considered specimen. The suggested model incorporates the $R$ ratio effect using an equivalent stress amplitude. It is proven that the new model can efficiently describe the fatigue life for a large $R$ -value interval with higher accuracy.

Keywords

• fatigue
• rubber
• stress ratio
• finite element analysis
• fatigue life prediction