A new experimental approach to rubber resistance against cutting by sharp objects

Abstract

The present paper proposes a new fracture experimental approach to rubber resistance against cutting by sharp objects based on newly developed instrumental testing equipment. In this work the effect of cutting velocity 25 and 100 mm ⋅ min− 1 on varied pre-force 50 and 100 N cured rubber test specimens based on NR/BR/SBR blends has been studied. The experimental approach represents an application of cutting implement (razor blade) to the tip of a crack in a time-dependent stretched test specimen. The fracture mechanic’s phenomena has been based on the definition of test specimen geometry with respect to the geometry ratio L0/W (Length/Width) = 1/8, whereas the common pure-shear test specimens have been used for the study. For lower cutting velocity, there also were found lower tearing energies at fracture process, which seems to be very important parameter. As a specific result we introduce the relationship between elastic energy of crack initiation in dependence on cutting velocity and crack length. © 2015 Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK.