Thermo-mechanical aging of carbon-black reinforced styrene-butadiene rubber under cyclic loading

The research aims to investigate the impact of thermo-mechanical aging on SBR under cyclic loading. By conducting experimental analyses and developing a 3D FEA model, it seeks to understand chemical and physical changes during aging processes. This research provides insights into nonlinear mechanical behavior, stress softening, and microstructural alterations in SBR compounds, improving material performance and guiding future strategies. This study combines experimental analyses, including cyclic tensile loading, Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR), spectroscopy, and EDS line scans, to investigate the effects of thermo-mechanical aging on Carbon-Black (CB) Reinforced Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR). It employs a 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model using the Abaqus/Implicit code to comprehend the nonlinear behavior and stress softening response, offering a holistic understanding of aging processes and mechanical behavior under cyclic loading. This study reveals significant insights into SBR behavior during thermo-mechanical aging. Findings include surface roughness variations, chemical alterations, and microstructural changes. Notably, a partial recovery of stiffness was observed as a function of CB volume fraction. The developed 3D FEA model accurately depicts nonlinear behavior, stress softening, and strain fields around CB particles in unstressed states, predicting hysteresis and energy dissipation in aged SBRs. This research offers novel insights by comprehensively investigating the impact of thermo-mechanical aging on CB-reinforced SBR. The fusion of experimental techniques with FEA simulations reveals time-dependent mechanical behavior and microstructural changes in SBR materials. The model serves as a valuable tool for predicting material responses under various conditions, advancing the design and engineering of SBR-based products across industries.