Strain-dependent dynamic properties of filled rubber network systems

A model for strain-dependent dynamic properties of filler loaded rubber systems has been derived based on the Links-Nodes-Blobs (L-N-B) model of percolation theory. It is the first time that a L-N-B model is applied in the study of dynamic properties of filled rubbers. The density distribution function of the number of singly connected bonds f(1a) (epsilon) and the apparent yield strain amplitude epsilon(app) that corresponds to the on-set point of cormption of the filler network are introduced in the model. Simulation results indicate that both f(1a)(epsilon) and epsilon(app) control the break-down and recombination of the filler network. Two recombination mechanisms are adopted in this study. Results of simulations from the extreme ends recombination mechanism match the experimental data better than those from the zero strain recombination mechanism. Also, via the proposed model, the strain-dependent storage modulus correlates well with the peak loss modulus at a low strain range of around 0.1% to 100%. Moreover, a universal plot of the normalized storage modulus (Z(L-N-B)) as a function of the normalized Log strain amplitude (epsilon(0)/epsilon(app)) for different rubber systems is obtained. The loss moduli of systems are also simulated by the L-N-B model.