Fatigue mechanisms of a closed cell elastomeric foam: A mechanical and microstructural study using ex situ X-ray microtomography
The degradation of mechanical properties of closed-cell elastomeric foams in fatigue and its link with the cellular structure is still poorly understood. To clarify this, we performed interrupted and continuous cyclic compression tests on EVA closed-cell foams used in running shoes. The 3D cellular...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Polymer Testing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014294182300274X |
| Summary: | The degradation of mechanical properties of closed-cell elastomeric foams in fatigue and its link with the cellular structure is still poorly understood. To clarify this, we performed interrupted and continuous cyclic compression tests on EVA closed-cell foams used in running shoes. The 3D cellular structures of tested samples was analyzed before, during and after fatigue tests using X-ray microtomography and digital volume correlation. Interrupting the cycling allows the observation of the cell flattening along the compression axis with both plastic bending and an increase of tears/holes of cell walls. These two fatigue-induced defects are suspected to play a strong contribution on the fatigue properties of the foam at the sample scale and may explain the partial recovery of the initial mechanical property of foams while restarting cycling. |
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| ISSN: | 0142-9418 |