FATIGUE OF RUBBER RUBBER JOINTS AND THE EFFECT OF JOINT ANGLE

Results of our investigation of the fatigue-to-failure of rubber-rubber joints are presented. Two different types of composites-type I with the angle tip of the stiffer matrix embedded in the softer matrix at an angle, and type II having the reverse configuration-were prepared for the study. The joint angle was varied from 30-degrees to 180-degrees, and it was observed that the more acute the joint angle, the shorter the fatigue life. The purpose of varying the joint configuration was to provide different stress concentrations near the interface. The fatigue strength of various rubber-rubber joints is also related to the strain energy density function. The composite specimen with a higher strain energy density shows a shorter fatigue life. The fatigue life of dissimilar rubber joints and the observed nature of failure of each type of composite are highlighted.