Study on the Strain Rate‐Temperature Coupling Effect of Nitrile Rubber

The strain rate‐temperature coupling effect (STCE) on the stress–strain curves and energy absorption capacity of nitrile rubber (NBR) is investigated. It is found that the energy absorption capacity of NBR increases with increasing strain rate, and this enhancement is essentially independent of temperature; however, it decreases with increasing temperature, and this weakening trend is essentially consistent across different strain rates. The classical Mooney‐Rivlin (MR) model is modified to develop a revised MR model incorporating STCE. Material parameters of the modified MR model are determined through experimental data fitting. Numerical simulations of uniaxial compression tests are performed using the modified MR model. The results indicate that: (i) Both modified MR and classical MR models effectively predict the quasi‐static mechanical behavior of NBR at ambient temperature; (ii) Prediction errors of the MR model increase with higher strain rates and elevated temperatures. In contrast, the modified MR model can accurately predict the static and dynamic mechanical behavior of NBR under varying strain rates and temperatures, with prediction accuracy improved by approximately 90%. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the performance design of NBR components such as sealing elements and damping parts in fields including automotive, aerospace, and mechanical manufacturing.