Abstract
Fourier transform (FT) rheometry was used to investigate the non-linear viscoelastic behavior of a series of carbon black filled rubber compounds with various filler levels. Using a purposely modified commercial dynamic rheometer, i.e. the Rubber Process Analyzer RPA 2000® (Alpha Technologies), special strain sweep tests protocols were designed and performed in order to capture the actual strain and torque signals up to 500% deformation at constant frequency and temperature. FT yielded the main component and harmonics of strain and torque signals. Results show that the quality of the applied strain signal somewhat deteriorates with increasing stiffness of filled compounds, but remains excellent in the high strain region, where the non-linear viscoelastic response of the materials is investigated. Above a filler volume fraction of around 12–13%, tested materials no longer exhibit a linear viscoelastic response, at least in the strain window investigated, and the FT rheometry results are more complex than what was observed with pure gum samples. This means that most practical rubber compounds are intrinsically non-linear. By essence, FT rheometry is a valid technique for both the linear and the non-linear domains and, as shown, provides original information about complex polymer systems such as filled rubber compounds.
Non-linear viscoelastic response of magnetic fiber suspensions in oscillatory shear
