Structural model of micro-strands formation in filled elastomers

A structural model for the development of internal damage in dispersively filled elastomers in the form of the appearance and growth of high-strength micro-strands between the filler particles has been developed. The use of a new deformation criterion of strength, taking into account the possibility of anisotropic hardening of the elastomer during uniaxial elongation (due to the reorientation of molecular chains in the direction of application of the load), is the basis of the model. Four forms of recording of this criterion are proposed and the optimal variant was selected after analysis of their applicability. The processes of the development of structural damage in elastomeric composites are theoretically investigated using the model. It is shown that this approach allows us to describe the possibility of strands in the gaps between closely spaced filler particles due to the development of strength anisotropy in the material.