Characterization and Fatigue Life Evaluation of Rubber/Clay Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites were prepared through the compounding of rubber and clay. Measurements of the static and dynamic mechanical properties of different compositions over a temperature range 70-100 degrees C showed that the mechanical properties of these rubber/clay nanocomposites are superior to those of existing rubber materials. In this study, by using the parameter of the maximum Green-Lagrange strain appearing at certain locations, the relationship between fatigue life and maximum Green-Lagrange strain, and the correlations between test-piece tests and bench tests of actual rubber components are proved. In order to predict the fatigue life of rubber components at the design stage, a simple procedure of life prediction is suggested. The predicted fatigue lives of the rubber engine mounts agree fairly well with the fatigue lives determined experimentally.