Using tensile strength distribution to detect undispersed filler and other crack precursors in rubber
by Chris Robertson, Polymer Technology Services LLC; Clément Robin, Hutchinson Research and Innovation Center; and Eric Britton, ACE Laboratories
The tensile test is one of the most common physical measurements in the rubber laboratory. Evaluating the average or median stress-strain behavior for five replicate specimens gives a quick and broad assessment of rubber mechanical properties. Tensile testing can provide even more insights into rubber formulation effects, quality of mixing, and their impact on product durability by testing more replicates to characterize the tensile strength distribution or statistical failure population. It is the aim of this article to highlight this simple and useful testing approach.