Mechanical behavior of SBR–glass bead composites

The mechanical properties of crosslinked SBR containing varying amounts of a glass bead filler have been studied. It is shown that the stress–strain response at a given test rate and temperature can be rationalized provided dewetting around the glass bead filler is taken into account. Direct measurements of the volume dilatation as a function of both strain and filler content have been obtained. This information in conjunction with the model proposed herein has been used to satisfactorily reproduce the stress–strain curves to strains up to about 200%. It is also shown that at the break point complete dewetting has occurred so that the rupture properties of the filled are the same as that of the unfilled gum. This was found to be true for all temperatures and rates studied.