A novel phenomenological model for predicting hysteresis loss of rubber compounds obtained from ultra-large off-the-road tires

The objective of this study was to develop a novel phenomenological model that can predict the hysteresis loss of rubber compounds obtained from ultra-large off-the-road (OTR) tires under typical operating conditions at mine sites. To achieve this, first, cyclic tensile tests were conducted on tire tread compounds to derive the experimental results of hysteresis curves, peak stress, residual strain, and hysteresis loss at 6 strain levels, 8 strain rates, and 14 rubber temperatures. Then, referring to these experimental results, a phenomenological model was developed – the HLSRT model (a hysteresis loss model considering strain levels, strain rates, and rubber temperatures). This HLSRT model was generated based on a novel strain energy function that was modified from the traditional Mooney-Rivlin (MR) function, and the model was used to predict the hysteresis loss of rubber compounds in OTR tires. The prediction results show that the HLSRT model estimated the hysteresis loss of tire tread compounds with average and maximum mean absolute percent errors (MAPEs) of 11.2% and 18.6%, respectively, at strain levels ranging from 10% to 100%, strain rates from 10% to 500% s−1, and rubber temperatures from −30°C to 100°C. These MAPEs were relatively low when compared with previous studies, showing that the HLSRT model has higher prediction accuracy. For the first time, the HLSRT model derived from this study has provided a new approach to predicting the hysteresis loss of OTR tire rubbers to guide the use of OTR tires in truck haulage at mine sites.

A simulation strategy to determine the mechanical behaviour of cork-rubber composite pads for vibration isolation

The present work aimed to determine the performance of new cork-rubber composites, applying a modelling-based approach. The static and dynamic behaviour under compression of new composite isolation pads was determined using mathematical techniques. Linear regression was used to estimate apparent compression modulus and dynamic stiffness coefficient of compounds samples based on the effect of fillers, cork and other ingredients. Using the results obtained by regression models, finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to determine the behaviour of the same cork-rubber material but considering samples with different dimensions. The majority of the regression models presented R2 values above 90%. Also, a good agreement was found between the results obtained by the presented approach and previous experimental tests. Based on the developed methodology, the compression behaviour of new cork-rubber compounds can be accessed, improving product development stages.

Lab-Scale Twin-Screw Micro-Compounders as a New Rubber-Mixing Tool: ‘A Comparison on EPDM/Carbon Black and EPDM/Silica Composites’

The research and development (R&D) in rubber formulation development require reproducible, repeatable, fast, accurate, and efficient sample preparation. The lab-scale formulation development is conventionally carried out using small-scale internal mixers and two-roll mills. However, high torque laboratory twin-screw micro-compounder, which have been serving the plastic industry for more than 30 years, can be used to formulate new rubber compounds for fast and accurate sample preparation that on top can contribute to the economics of R&D. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using lab-scale 15 mL high torque twin-screw micro-compounder as a tool for new rubber compound development. For this purpose, we formulated EPDM/carbon black and EPDM/silica recipes through conventional way using a Banbury mixer followed by a two-roll mill, and through the possible way using a lab-scale 15 mL twin-screw micro-compounder. We crosslinked both systems via hot press at a predefined temperature and time. The rheological and mechanical properties of the compounds were investigated. Moreover, the dispersion of carbon black and silica in the EPDM matrix was judged by DisperGrader and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The conventional way of sample preparation was compared with a possible sample preparation method based on materials’ parameters and ease of operation.

EFFECTS OF OV-POSS NANOPARTICLES ON THE VULCANIZATION KINETICS OF NATURAL RUBBER COMPOUNDS

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) are new-generation additives, which can provide improved properties in polymer matrices by physical and/or chemical interactions between the polymer molecules and their reactive sites. In the case of rubber-based polymeric systems, POSSs are also able to accompany with the vulcanization reaction. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of octavinyl functionalized POSS (OV-POSS) on sulphur vulcanization of a model natural rubber (NR) based compound. The reaction kinetics was studied by using various kinetic approaches based on Moving Die Rheometry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Rheometric data was evaluated by using a common non-linear cure kinetic model, which is called Isayev and Deng Model. Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Crane Models were used to process thermal data for curing reactions. All the models were found to be able to analyze vulcanization kinetics of OV-POSS containing NR-based rubber compounds as well as the effect of OV-POSS incorporation.

Prospects and Development of Research of Composite Elastomer Materials

The aim of this work is to study the effect of new modified ingredients on the complex of properties of composite elastomeric materials. It was found that the introduction of modified ingredients into the composition of elastomeric compositions enhances interfacial interaction at the «rubber-filler» interface and the formation of additional bonds between rubber macromolecules and functional groups, as a result of which an improvement in the complex of properties of the compositions is observed. The introduction of modified carbon into the composition of elastomeric compositions enhances interfacial interaction at the «rubber-filler» interface and the formation of additional bonds between rubber macromolecules and functional groups of the oligomer, as a result of which an improvement in the complex of properties of the compositions is observed. The technology of purification of mineral fillers from metal oxides has been developed. A sufficiently high degree of purification by this method is due to the fact that in the process of temperature exposure at 950 K, iron ions from the paramagnetic state (d-form Fe2O3) pass into ferromagnetic (r-form Fe3O4). Feasibility and prospects of using modified fillers, both mineral and organic, in the formulations of rubber compounds for the production of various types of rubber products