Experimental and finite element investigation of void nucleation in rubber-like materials

This work deals with fracture of elastomers by cavitation. So, tension tests were achieved on specific volumetric specimens, the shape of which should induce void nucleation in the bulk of the material. Macroscopic behaviour of this material was related to the cavitation phenomenon. It was particularly proved that the slope break of the stress–strain curves coincides with the apparition of voids. Then, all experimental tests were numerically modelled using Finite Element Method (FEM) and results were analysed. Numerical study highlighted, among others, effects of specimen shape factor and those of filler volume fraction on the nucleation and growth of cavities.