Origin of Nonlinear Viscoelasticity in Filled
Rubbers: Theory and Practice
Deepalekshmi Ponnamma and Sabu Thomas
Abstract The present chapter is written as an introduction towards this book on
nonlinear viscoelasticity of rubber composites and nanocomposites. Rather than
introducing the concept of the book to the readers this chapter reveals the basics
behind rubber viscoelasticity and explains both linearity and nonlinearity from this
behavior. Various filler reinforced rubbers are introduced emphasising the flow
behavior of such nanocomposites. Major mathematical models proposed by Kraus,
Huber and Vilgis and Maier and Goritz for the ‘Payne Effect’ are briefly addressed
based on the filler matrix interactions existing in the composite systems.
Keywords Elastomer • Rheology • Dynamics • Modeling • Interfacial interactions
1 Introduction
Rubber is one of the most useful raw materials in industry and technology. The
word rubber came from its capability to remove marks on paper and is coined with
Priestly (1770). This material is available in nature in the form of latex tapped from
the Brazilian rubber tree Havea Brasiliensis. The solid natural rubber is obtained
through coagulating the latex. It is chemically unsaturated hydrocarbon and is
produced widely in artificial means as well. Examples of synthetic rubbers include
butyl rubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber etc. Depending on the usage rubbers are
classified as special purpose and general purpose rubbers and a brief survey of this
aspect is done by our group recently [1]. The consumer rubber products vary from
erasers, raincoats, footwear play balls etc.; to engineering products such as rubber
tyres, and multifarious rubber components for all engineering applications
D. Ponnamma
School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam
686 560, Kerala, India
S. Thomas (*)
School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam
686 560, Kerala, India
Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills
P.O., Kottayam 686 560, Kerala, India
e-mail: sabupolymer@yahoo.com
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
D. Ponnamma, S. Thomas (eds.), Non-Linear Viscoelasticity of Rubber Composites and
Nanocomposites, Advances in Polymer Science 264, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-08702-3_1
1
Rubbers: Theory and Practice
Deepalekshmi Ponnamma and Sabu Thomas
Abstract The present chapter is written as an introduction towards this book on
nonlinear viscoelasticity of rubber composites and nanocomposites. Rather than
introducing the concept of the book to the readers this chapter reveals the basics
behind rubber viscoelasticity and explains both linearity and nonlinearity from this
behavior. Various filler reinforced rubbers are introduced emphasising the flow
behavior of such nanocomposites. Major mathematical models proposed by Kraus,
Huber and Vilgis and Maier and Goritz for the ‘Payne Effect’ are briefly addressed
based on the filler matrix interactions existing in the composite systems.
Keywords Elastomer • Rheology • Dynamics • Modeling • Interfacial interactions
1 Introduction
Rubber is one of the most useful raw materials in industry and technology. The
word rubber came from its capability to remove marks on paper and is coined with
Priestly (1770). This material is available in nature in the form of latex tapped from
the Brazilian rubber tree Havea Brasiliensis. The solid natural rubber is obtained
through coagulating the latex. It is chemically unsaturated hydrocarbon and is
produced widely in artificial means as well. Examples of synthetic rubbers include
butyl rubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber etc. Depending on the usage rubbers are
classified as special purpose and general purpose rubbers and a brief survey of this
aspect is done by our group recently [1]. The consumer rubber products vary from
erasers, raincoats, footwear play balls etc.; to engineering products such as rubber
tyres, and multifarious rubber components for all engineering applications
D. Ponnamma
School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam
686 560, Kerala, India
S. Thomas (*)
School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam
686 560, Kerala, India
Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills
P.O., Kottayam 686 560, Kerala, India
e-mail: sabupolymer@yahoo.com
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
D. Ponnamma, S. Thomas (eds.), Non-Linear Viscoelasticity of Rubber Composites and
Nanocomposites, Advances in Polymer Science 264, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-08702-3_1
1