Filler-reinforcement of elastomers viewed as a triboelastic phenomenon

A triboelastic approach is offered for modeling the reinforcement phenomenon in particulate elastomeric composites. The structural unit is composed of two solid substrates, modeling the surface of filler particles, and an adjoining nonlinear elastic spring, modeling a rubber molecule adsorbed by the surfaces of substrates. The strength of the adhesive bond is represented as a specified frictional resistance appearing when the string is sliding along the substrate. The tensile curve of this model gives a clearer insight into the reinforcement mechanism, which may by regarded as the frictional resistance experienced by the spring on its sliding along the substrates at lower and moderate deformations. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.