Filler Network of SiO2/SBR Composites Under Fatigue Process

    Rubber composites are often used repeatedly by dynamic stretch or compressing. Fatigue failure of the rubber composites easily occurs. In order to ensure the safety and reliability of rubber composites, it is necessary to study the fatigue mechanism of composites In this work, modulus of rubber materials characterized by dynamic mechanics analysis (DMA) was used to investigate the filler network change of the SiO₂/SBR composites during the fatigue process. The modulus data of the composites at different stages of strain scanning testing indicate that the filler network is slowly changed by repeated action of the alternating stress. In the initial stage of fatigue, the filler network is destroyed and large agglomerates are broken into smaller agglomerates. These small agglomerates form new filler network with more uniform distribution. After further fatigue, the small agglomerates further assemble. In the last stage, the filler network is destroyed due to stress concentration, thus cracks will be initiated and developed.