An original experimental approach showing that most nonlinearities expressed by filled elastomers relate to microscopic friction and cavitation

Filled elastomers present a highly nonlinear behavior when submitted to cyclic mechanical loads. Origins of these nonlinearities are still uncertain, but many models rely on micromechanisms such as friction or cavitation at the filler/binder interface. To substantiate these hypotheses, an experimental approach is proposed to assess the real effects of friction and cavitation on the macroscopic response of filled elastomers. A linear, viscoelastic, transparent material is used to create macroscopic samples in which mechanisms are activated, separately or jointly. The response of these samples to cyclic mechanical loads shows that each mechanism generates some typical nonlinearities. A deeper analysis of the resulting curves allows a correlation between the nonlinearities characteristics (shapes and amplitudes) and the ones expressed by filled elastomers, providing clues for the development of future models.

Automated summary

The study investigates the effects of friction and cavitation on the macroscopic response of filled elastomers through experimental methods, showing that each mechanism generates typical nonlinearities. Further analysis of the resulting curves provides clues for the correlation between the characteristics of nonlinearities and micro mechanisms in filled elastomers, contributing to the development of future models.