Non―Gaussian-Type Tube-Based Entropy Model for Elastomeric Networks with Polymer Phase Influenced by Filler Loading: Data Analysis for Lightly to Highly Carbon-Black Filled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Networks

ABSTRACT

Recently the author proposed a new, non-Gaussian, tube-based entropy model for filled elastic networks, characterized by a filler-environmental parameter that was proposed to represent the extent of filler-agglomeration; it was specifically introduced for the polymer phase entropically affected by the presence of very irregularly structured fillers. In this report, the stress-strain relations derived from the above model were used together with the traditional and latest mechanisms of amplification of the strain due to the presence of a filler: namely, literature tensile data for styrene-butadiene rubber networks with a series of carbon-black loadings were systematically analyzed to understand the filler-loading dependence of the above parameter. As a consequence, it is proposed that this parameter is linked, from the static-mechanical standpoint, to a critical filler-loading coupled to the filler-networking. In addition, prior to commencing the examinations of the high-loading networks' tensile data, the data-fitting performance of the underlying elastic molecular model for non-filled networks was also examined using the unfilled and low-loading networks' tensile curves.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon-black loading-mechanical property dependence
• filler-environmental parameter
• non-Gaussian filled-rubber elasticity model
• strain amplification
• tensile data