The pseudo-elastic response of rubberlike solids

Abstract

In this paper we focus on the mechanical behaviour of filled natural rubber. Filled elastomers under cyclic loading show noticeable differences between the mechanical response under loading and unloading during the first cycles in oscillation tests. We examine the change in material response associated with the Mullins effect and with cavitation, the latter arising from hydrostatic tensile stresses of sufficient magnitude. Then, we focus on constitutive equations using the theory of pseudoelasticity. Specifically, the strain-energy function depends on a scalar parameter, which provides a means for modifying the form, thereby reflecting stress softening observed during unloading. The dissipation of energy is also accounted for by the use of a dissipation function, which evolves with the deformation history. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)