A Study on the Fatigue Life Prediction and Evaluation of the Natural Rubber Components for Automobile Vehicles

摘要

The fatigue analysis and lifetime evaluation are very important in design procedure to assure the safety and reliability of the rubber components. The interest of the fatigue life of rubber components such as the engine mount is increasing according to the extension of warranty period of the automotive components. In this study, the fatigue lifetime prediction methodology of the vulcanized natural rubber was proposed by incorporating the finite element analysis and fatigue damage parameter determined from fatigue tests. Finite element analysis of 3D dumbbell specimen of natural rubber was performed based on a hyper-elastic material model determined from the tension, compression and shear tests. The Green-Lagrange strain at the critical location determined from the finite element analysis was used for evaluating the fatigue damage parameter of the natural rubber. Fatigue tests were performed using the 3D dumbbell specimens with different levels of maximum strain and various load. The basic mechanical properties test and the fatigue test of rubber specimens under the normal and elevated temperature were conducted. Fatigue life curves can be effectively represented by a following single function using the maximum Green-Lagrange strain. Fatigue lives of the natural rubber are predicted by using the fatigue damage parameters at the critical location. Predicted fatigue lives of the engine mount agreed fairly with the experimental fatigue lives a factor of two.