Elastomer biaxial characterization using bubble inflation technique. I: Experimental investigations

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 522 - 531
• Main Authors: Reuge, N., Schmidt, F. M., Le Maoult, Y., Rachik, M., Abbé, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2001; Wiley Subscription Services; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Elastomers; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Mechanical properties; Mechanics; Methods; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers; Properties and characterization; Rheometers; Stress analysis (Engineering); Testing; United States; SBR; Polymer blends; Vulcanizate; Biaxial strain; Mechanical properties; Natural rubber; Measurement method; Elastic deformation; Experimental study; Rheometer; Thickness measurement
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.10749

The biaxial rheological behavior of materials such as elastomers or polymers can be obtained using a bubble‐inflation‐technique. A circular membrane is clamped at the rim and expanded under gas pressure. The inflation of the circular membrane is recorded using a CCD video camera and the blowing pressure by a pressure sensor. Then, from elongation and curvature radius measurement at the pole of the bubble, one can deduce equibixial stress‐strain data. This study describes the optimization of a bubble‐inflation rheometer. The most sensitive point of the technique is the estimation of the elongation at the bubble pole, deduced from video camera measurements. A direct measurement of the bubble thickness was performed using a magnetic probe in order to validate rheometer results. Such a validation has evidently never been carried out before. Results of quasi‐static equibiaxial characterisation of elastomers are presented and analyzed.