Real time observations on rubber friction and fracture

There is no doubt that rubber products with high abrasion resistance are strongly demanded from a sustainable or economical point of view. It is thought that abrasion loss of rubber during friction is caused by cracks generation at the rubber surface, their propagation, and elimination of rubber pieces. Therefore, investigation on generation and propagation of rubber fracture is important to clarify rubber abrasion mechanisms. In this study, X-ray imaging method at SPring-8 is applied to directly observe crack generation and propagation during friction between rubber and a needle, and origin of rubber abrasion loss will be discussed.
There is no doubt that rubber products with high abrasion resistance are strongly demanded from a sustainable or economical point of view. It is thought that abrasion loss of rubber during friction is caused by cracks generation at the rubber surface, their propagation, and elimination of rubber pieces. Therefore, investigation on generation and propagation of rubber fracture is important to clarify rubber abrasion mechanisms. In this study, X-ray imaging method at SPring-8 is applied to directly observe crack generation and propagation during friction between rubber and a needle, and origin of rubber abrasion loss will be discussed.