Abstract
A hybrid experimental-numerical approach is proposed for accurate dimensionless characterization of rubber finite compressibility. Rubber specimens in the form of bonded rubber disks are considered as elastomeric structures with unknown material properties. These properties are calculated by matching results of FEA with experimental measurements of radial deformations of the axially-loaded disks. The approach may be used for reliable characterization of Poisson's ratio, bulk modulus, or other characteristics of interest. Implementation of the approach is considered for two representative elastomeric compounds with different levels of carbon black. Good experimental verification of the approach is shown at different levels of loading. Moreover, the same parameters of finite compressibility are independently obtained using both compressive and tensile loads. Higher compressibility is observed for a compound with larger content of carbon black as expected.
