Failure Properties of Silica-Filled Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Microcellular Rubber

Abstract

Abstract The concentrations of the blowing agent and silica filler alter the microstructure of ethylene vinyl acetate rubber foam which in turn is responsible for changes in the physical properties of the foam vulcanizates. The theoretically predicted flaw sizes were found to be in reasonable agreement with the largest pore diameter observed from SEM photomicrographs. The results support the theory that the tensile rupture of foam rubber occurs by the catastrophic tearing from a flaw present in the form of the largest pore in the microstructure of the foam.