Rethinking Fatigue Analysis for Elastomers: What Engineers Must Know About Rubber Fatigue
Unlock the Science of Elastomer Fatigue Analysis. Learn how temperature influences fatigue life and why metal-based models fail to capture the complexities of thermal effects in elastomers. Get Durability Right.
Rubber Isn’t Metal: The Paradigm Shift in Fatigue Modeling
As engineers, chemists, and materials scientists, we’re trained to rely on principles that have guided countless designs and innovations. But what if the models we’ve trusted for fatigue analysis—crafted for metals—fall short when applied to elastomers like rubber? This isn’t a flaw in engineering; it’s an opportunity for discovery.
Elastomers are unique materials with behaviors that challenge traditional fatigue analysis. Their response to mean strain, thermal effects, and load history requires models built specifically for their properties. Endurica Technology provides exactly that—a scientifically rigorous framework designed to deliver accurate fatigue predictions for elastomers. It’s time to go beyond assumptions and embrace an approach tailored to the materials we use.
Explore the key principles behind rubber fatigue and learn how Endurica helps engineers achieve unprecedented accuracy and confidence in their designs.
Elastomer Critical Plane Analysis
Critical plane analysis enables accurate calculation of the effects of multiaxial loading on fatigue performance. The analysis considers how a series of potential microcracks will experience the 6 components of the stress tensor. Each potential microcrack is identified by its unit normal vector, and the set of all unit normals is represented as a sphere colored according to the life computed for each normal. The shortest life among all of the normals (colored red in the image) is reported as the fatigue life and its location on the sphere shows the plane on which cracks first initiate. We developed and patented the first critical plane analysis for elastomers. Our algorithm considers the effects of finite straining and of crack closure.
Rainflow Counting
Rainflow counting considers how variable amplitude loading will influence fatigue performance. The load signal experienced by each microcrack is first obtained via critical plane analysis. It is then parsed into a list of discrete events. Each event contributes to the total rate of crack development according to the crack growth rate law of the material. Our implementation includes an index back into the original time domain signal, so that the most damaging events can be quickly identified.
Nonlinear Material Behavior
Elastomers exhibit a rich set of behaviors. Physically realistic, nonlinear models are provided in our fatigue solver to represent cyclic stress-strain behavior, strain crystallization effects (or lack of), and time and temperature dependence. For each behavior, both minimalistic and high accuracy models are provided, giving analysts a high degree of control over analysis scope and accuracy.
Fatigue Testing Methods
Our 3rd generation testing methods reflect the state of the art in fatigue testing for elastomers. Traditional fatigue testing methods offer too little control over execution time and data scatter, and they indiscriminately confound various influences on fatigue performance. Our testing methods are designed to produce accurate results within a pre-specified time budget. They are physics-based and are optimized to give the best possible observation of each factor governing fatigue performance.
Ready to Innovate? Let’s Talk.
Fatigue analysis for elastomers demands a new perspective. Connect with an Endurica engineer today to explore how our technology can transform your design process.
Talk to an EngineerCrack the Code of Elastomer Fatigue
As an engineer, your expertise shapes the innovations of tomorrow. But when it comes to fatigue analysis, using metal-based models for elastomers is like trying to solve a puzzle with the wrong pieces. Elastomers behave differently—their fatigue is influenced by unique factors such as mean strain, thermal effects, and non-linear load histories.
Endurica’s groundbreaking models are specifically designed for elastomers, providing the insights and accuracy needed to meet the demands of real-world applications. Dive into the science and discover how our approach transforms fatigue analysis from guesswork to precision.
We’ve distilled the essential knowledge into three compelling articles that explore key aspects of elastomer fatigue. Start your journey of discovery and unlock the tools to elevate your engineering designs.
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- Rubber Fatigue ≠ Metal Fatigue Part 1: Mean Strain Effects
Understand the critical role mean strain plays in rubber fatigue and why it’s often overlooked in traditional models. - Rubber Fatigue ≠ Metal Fatigue Part 2: Linear Superposition
Discover why elastomers defy the principle of linear superposition and how accurate fatigue predictions require non-linear analysis. - Rubber Fatigue ≠ Metal Fatigue Part 3: Thermal Effects
Learn how temperature influences fatigue life and why metal-based models fail to capture the complexities of thermal effects in elastomers.
- Rubber Fatigue ≠ Metal Fatigue Part 1: Mean Strain Effects