Chemical and Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies on Fatigue Failure of Natural Rubber Vulcanizates

Abstract

Abstract Gum and filled vulcanizates with both conventional and EV systems were tested in a De Mattia flexing machine at two temperatures, and the fracture surfaces were subjected to chemical analyses and SEM studies. The study shows that flexing failure is not accompanied by any major change in network structure. SEM studies show ductile failure of gum mixes. HAF black filled mixes show brittle failure which changes to quasi-ductile with the addition of antioxidant. At 100°C, flow of the matrix is more predominant.