Applicability of a Non-Gaussian-Type Tube Model to Filler-Reinforced Rubber Networks: Data Analysis for Carbon Black-Filled Networks

In a previous paper, the author compared the fit to natural rubber/styrene-butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) unfilled network experiments of his finite extensibility tube model for non-filled rubber networks and another model similar to it. This work extended the above comparison to the same rubber networks loaded with carbon black (CB), based on the two rubber elasticity models for unfilled rubber networks. As a result of the comparative study, our treatment was able to provide more favorable data fittings compared to the other, although there is still need for improvement. Also, this study gave a description of the Mullins softening on the assumption that the CB networks formed in the rubbers were broken up during their deformation.