Material behaviour - Fracture topography of rubber surfaces: an SEM study

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies have been made on tensile, tear and abrasion failure of elastomer composites based on IIR (isobutylene-co-isoprene) and CR (polychloroprene) elastomers. Various types of fillers e.g., carbon black, silica and mica have been used for the development of these composites. Depending upon the structure and reinforcing characteristics of the filler, the fracture topography changes significantly. Attempts have been made to correlate the features observed on the SEM photomicrographs and the measured strength properties of the composites. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.