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Viscoelastic Analysis of Rubber with Nanoindention DMA

Viscoelasticity is referred to as the property of materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics
when undergoing deformation.

A viscous material resists shear flow and strains linearly with time when a stress is applied, unlike an elastic
material that strains immediately when stressed and returns to original state once the stress is removed. A
viscoelastic material exhibits elements of both properties and therefore has a complex modulus.
NANOVEA
NANOVEA
www.nanovea.com
www.nanovea.com
A Better Measure
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

A Better Measure [email protected]

949-461-929
+1 (949) 461-9292

Importance of Nanoindentation DMA for Rubber

Tires are subjected to cyclical high deformations when vehicles are running on the road. When exposed
to harsh road conditions, the service lifetime of the tires is jeopardized by many factors, such as the wear
of the thread, the heat generated by friction, rubber aging, and others.

As a result, tires usually have composite layer structures made of carbon-filled rubber, nylon cords, and
steel wires, etc. In particular, the composition of rubber at different areas of the tire systems is optimized to
provide different functional properties, including but not limited to wear resistant thread, cushion rubber
layer and hard rubber base layer.

A reliable and repeatable test of the viscoelastic behavior of rubber is critical in quality
control and R&D of new tires, as well as evaluation of life span of old tires. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
(DMA) during Nanoindentation is a technique of characterizing the viscoelasticity. When controlled
oscillatory stress is applied, the resulting strain is measured, allowing users to determine the complex
modulus of the tested materials.
Objectives and Equipment

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Measurement Objectives
In this application, the Nanovea Mechanical Tester, in Nanoindentation mode with DMA is used to
study the comparative viscoelastic properties of rubber at different thicknesses of a tire sample.

Tire sample on Nanovea Mechanical Tester

Mechanical Testing

Testing Conditions
A series (40 points) of nanoindentation DMA was performed along the thickness of the tire sample
and the distribution of the indentations is illustrated in Fig. 3. The test conditions are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1: Test conditions of the nanoindentation

Test Parameter
Value

Maximum Force (mN) 75

Loading Rate (mN/min) 150
Creep (s) 20
Amplitude 15
Frequency (Hz) 10
Indenter Type 100 μm spherical diamond

Figure 1 : Distribution of the indentation on the cross section of the tire sample.
Mechanical Testing

Results and Discussion

40 indentations along the tire thickness were performed spaced 0.38 mm apart for a total distance of
~15.5 mm as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the corresponding Tan (δ), Storage Modulus, Loss Modulus and
Hardness measured from the DMA are summarized in Fig. 4 to Fig. 7.

Figure 2 : Distribution of Tan (δ) at different locations of the tire.

Figure 3 : Distribution of Storage Modulus at different locations of the tire.

Mechanical Testing

Results and Discussion

Figure 4 : Distribution of Loss Modulus at different locations of the tire.

Figure 5 : Distribution of Hardness at different locations of the tire.

The distribution of the hardness and complex modulus meets the functionality requirements of the
rubber at different layers of the tires. The rubber at the positions from 0.38 to 2.66 mm and from 8.22
and 11.64 mm exhibits a relatively low hardness below 2 MPa and low complex modulus. Such a relative
soft feature allows the rubber in these regions to serve as a cushion layer and absorb the shocks and
vibrations. In comparison, the rubber at the positions from 3.04 to 7.84 mm shows an enhanced hard-
ness and complex modulus, due to the composite structure consisting of reinforcing fabric or high
tensile-strength steel wires encased in the rubber compound. The enhanced mechanical properties of
this layer provide the tire structure strength and toughness. The positions from 12.02 to 15.82 mm reside
in the tire tread and exhibit higher Hardness and complex modulus compared with the “cushion region”.
The high carbon black concentration at this area gives reinforced abrasion resistance, cut resistance as
well as traction.
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www.nanovea.com
www.nanovea.com
A Better Measure
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A Better Measure [email protected]

www.nanovea.com
949-461-929
(949)-461-9292
+1(949)-461-9292
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Conclusion
In this study, we demonstrate how the Nanovea Mechanical Tester in Nanoindentation DMA mode
measures the viscoelastic properties of a rubber sample (used tire in this study). The profile seen across
the depth of the tire shows how the different layers are used to create zones with very different
behaviors. This is essential in tire design to decrease the vibration. Zones of high loss modulus will
absorb differently than zones of low loss modulus. These types of studies are now essential to improve
tires for smoother, safer rides that last as long as possible in different weather conditions. These tests can
be performed at various temperatures and even under liquids. The test can also be conducted at various
frequencies to mimic the behavior of tires as speed increases. Frequencies of 10Hz, used in this report,
correspond to speed of about 67Km per hour. The Nanovea DMA can go up to 100Hz and is also possible
to scan across various frequencies to obtain a sweep.

The Nanovea Mechanical Tester has true close feedback control on load applied. The load application
with the fast piezo is independent from the load measurement done by a separate high sensitivity strain
gage. This gives a distinct advantage during DMA since the phase between depth and load is measured
directly from the data collected from the sensor. The calculation of phase is direct and does not need
mathematical modeling that adds inaccuracy to the resulting loss and storage modulus. This is not the
case for coil systems.

In conclusion, DMA measures hardness, loss and storage modulus, complex modulus and Tan (δ) as a
function of contact depth, time and frequency. The optional heating stage allows determination of
materials phase transition temperature during DMA. The Nanovea Mechanical Testers provide
unmatched multifunction Nano and Micro/Macro modules on a single platform. Both the Nano and
Micro/Macro modules include scratch tester, hardness tester and wear tester modes, providing the
widest and most user friendly range of testing available on a single module.

To learn more about Nanovea Mechanical Tester or Lab Services.

NANOVEA
www.nanovea.com
A Better Measure
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

A Better Measure [email protected]

www.nanovea.com
949-461-929
+1(949)-461-9292
(949) 461-9292

Thank you for reading!

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https://nanovea.com/investigat-
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