Six reasons why you need to model rubber like elastomeric materials correctly
1. Highly Nonlinear Behavior
Rubber and elastomers exhibit nonlinear stress-strain relationships, especially at large deformations. Their response to loading is not linear, so using a standard linear material model would give inaccurate results. Example, Rubber gaskets or seals deform significantly and return to their original shape.
2. Hyperelastic Material Models Are Required
Rubber-like materials are best described using hyperelastic material models (e.g., Mooney-Rivlin, Neo-Hookean, Ogden, Yeoh). These models are formulated based on strain energy density functions, capturing large elastic deformations accurately. FEA packages (like ANSYS, Abaqus, or COMSOL) include these models specifically to simulate rubber behavior.
3. Incompressibility and Bulk Behavior
Rubber like materials are nearly incompressible (Poisson’s ratio ~0.5). This means: Special numerical techniques (like hybrid elements) are needed to avoid volumetric locking. Accurate modeling ensures stable simulations under compressive or hydrostatic loads.
4. Real-World Applications Depend on Accuracy
Rubber is widely used in many applications like bushings, tires, engine mounts, prosthetics, seals, shock absorbers, footwear etc. Inaccurate modeling may result in incorrect failure prediction, improper design of damping or sealing components, or over engineered & unsafe parts.
5. Time- and Temperature-Dependent Behavior
Many elastomers show viscoelastic or thermoelastic behavior. If time or temperature effects are relevant, visco-hyperelastic models may be needed, which require more complex FEA input but yield more realistic predictions.
6. Simulation Efficiency
Using the correct rubber-like model improves convergence and stability of nonlinear FEA simulations. Incorrect models can lead to divergence or non-physical results (like negative pressures or unrealistic strains).
If you are looking for more information on modeling your rubber like components, reach out to us.
