Modeling Fatigue Failure in Urethane Elastomers—A New Approach

Abstract

A polyether urethane elastomer was mathematically modeled on a mole cular scale, using basic bond data to predict energy stored in individual chains as a function of overall deformation Consequently chain lifetimes, and ultimately the lifetime of the network as a whole, could be computed using the Zhurkov equation. Predicted results are in qualitative agreement with experiment with regard to variation in curative ratio, extent of domain aggregation, and inherent network flexibility, but not with regard to varia tion in molecular weight of the polyether segment. © 1971, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.