A micro-mechanical model for the anisotropic Mullins effect in filled rubber-like elastomers

In this contribution, a micro-mechanical model for the anisotropic Mullins effect is proposed for carbon black filled rubbers. The model describe both the deformation induced anisotropy and permanent set. Damage of the polymer-filler network is considered as a consequence of chain sliding on or debonding from aggregates. In contrast to previous works on anisotropy of the Mullins effect, no phenomenological damage function is introduced. Damage in different directions is governed by a network evolution concept which describes changes in the inter-aggregate distribution of polymer chains. The model includes a few number of physically motivated material constants and demonstrates good agreement with own experimental data on subsequent uniaxial tensions in two orthogonal directions.