Effect of Microstructure of Carbon Black Filled Rubber on Micro- to Macroscopic Deformation Behavior

We investigate the characteristic deformation behavior of carbon-black (CB) filled rubber using three-dimensional finite element model with the molecular chain network model and homogenization method. The deformation behavior of CB filled rubber under macroscopically uniform tension has been examined. The results reveal the effect of CB volume fraction, particle shape and distribution pattern on substantial enhancement of the resistance to macroscopic deformation. Especially, CB with botryoidally aggregated structure suggested the presence of low deforming region between asperities of CB surface. The low deforming regions act to increase the net CB volume fraction, which enhances the resistance to macroscopic deformation and hysteresis loss. Furthermore, the effects of volume fraction and in aggregation of the distribution of CB on deformation behavior of CB filled rubber are discussed.