A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers

Recycling challenges in rubber have driven research into recyclable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to extend the life cycle of conventional rubbers. This study investigates the impact of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) TPEs on the crack growth behavior of silica-reinforced NR and SBR rubber compoun...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani, Mohammad Alimardani, Hossein Roshanaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025019681
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author Mohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani
Mohammad Alimardani
Hossein Roshanaei
author_facet Mohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani
Mohammad Alimardani
Hossein Roshanaei
author_sort Mohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani
collection DOAJ
description Recycling challenges in rubber have driven research into recyclable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to extend the life cycle of conventional rubbers. This study investigates the impact of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) TPEs on the crack growth behavior of silica-reinforced NR and SBR rubber compounds. Crack growth analyses, including trouser tearing, fatigue flex cracking resistance, and tearing patterns, were conducted alongside morphological and viscoelastic non-linear tests to establish a mechanistic understanding. Results revealed a critical TPE loading level at which crack growth behavior improves. NR exhibited enhanced crack resistance at low TPE content, with 20 phr SBS providing exceptional fatigue resistance—showing no cracking damage even after 100,000 dynamic loading cycles. This improvement was attributed to enhanced silica dispersion which creates stronger filler-polymer interactions, increased energy dissipation in the interphase layer, and physical barriers to crack propagation. However, excessive TPE in NR led to property deterioration due to increased chain mobility. For SBR, crack growth resistance improved with higher SBS content, particularly at 40 phr. These findings highlight the potential of TPEs in sustainable engineering applications by optimizing crack resistance in rubber composites.
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spelling doaj-art-cd5e708a24f0458cb8b63147b308005e2025-08-20T02:35:03ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710589710.1016/j.rineng.2025.105897A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomersMohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani0Mohammad Alimardani1Hossein Roshanaei2Polymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranPolymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Corresponding author at: P.O. Box 14115-114, Iran.Department of Research and Development, Iran Yasa Tire and Rubber Company, Tehran, IranRecycling challenges in rubber have driven research into recyclable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to extend the life cycle of conventional rubbers. This study investigates the impact of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) TPEs on the crack growth behavior of silica-reinforced NR and SBR rubber compounds. Crack growth analyses, including trouser tearing, fatigue flex cracking resistance, and tearing patterns, were conducted alongside morphological and viscoelastic non-linear tests to establish a mechanistic understanding. Results revealed a critical TPE loading level at which crack growth behavior improves. NR exhibited enhanced crack resistance at low TPE content, with 20 phr SBS providing exceptional fatigue resistance—showing no cracking damage even after 100,000 dynamic loading cycles. This improvement was attributed to enhanced silica dispersion which creates stronger filler-polymer interactions, increased energy dissipation in the interphase layer, and physical barriers to crack propagation. However, excessive TPE in NR led to property deterioration due to increased chain mobility. For SBR, crack growth resistance improved with higher SBS content, particularly at 40 phr. These findings highlight the potential of TPEs in sustainable engineering applications by optimizing crack resistance in rubber composites.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025019681Crack growthFatigue life extensionSilicaRubberSBS
spellingShingle Mohammad Abbasi-Soureshjani
Mohammad Alimardani
Hossein Roshanaei
A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
Results in Engineering
Crack growth
Fatigue life extension
Silica
Rubber
SBS
title A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
title_full A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
title_fullStr A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
title_full_unstemmed A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
title_short A mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
title_sort mechanistic analysis of the crack initiation and growth in rubbers composites containing sustainable thermoplastic elastomers
topic Crack growth
Fatigue life extension
Silica
Rubber
SBS
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025019681
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