New biaxial test method for the characterization of hyperelastic rubber-like materials

The aim of this research is to discuss the characterization of hyperelastic materials by determining suitable parameters to the Yeoh Strain Energy Function (SEF), neglecting the viscoelastic and creep effects. The experimental analysis was conducted using a traction test machine Instron (R) model 3343. The experimental data from the uniaxial and nonhomogenous biaxial tests performed in membranes were used as an input for Abaqus (R) FE to obtain the parameters of the SEF in consideration. The curve obtained with the parameters of the uniaxial experiment presented smaller loads for the same vertical displacement biaxial experimental results. Only when the extensions were small was there a small difference between the numerical analysis with the parameters obtained by the biaxial adjustments and biaxial experimental results. We are confident that the proposed test for characterizing biaxially hyperelastic materials is an improvement because it is low-cost and can be performed using almost any existing uniaxial test machine.