Abstract
Service life prediction and evaluation of rubber components is the foundational technology necessary for securing the safety and reliability of the product and to ensure an optimum design. Even though the domestic industry has recognized the importance thereof, technology for a systematic design and analysis of the same has not yet been established. In order to develop this technology, identifying the fatigue damage parameters that affect service life is imperative. Most anti-vibration rubber components had been damaged by repeated load and aging. Hence, the evaluation of the fatigue characteristics is indispensable. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a method that can predict the service life of rubber components relatively accurately in a short period of time. This method works even in the initial designing stage. We followed the service life prediction procedure of the proposed rubber components. The weak part of the rubber and the maximum strain were analyzed using finite element analysis of the rubber bushing for the tracked vehicles. In order to predict the service life of the rubber components that were in storage for a certain period of time, the fatigue test was performed on the three-dimensional dumbbell specimen, based on the results obtained by the rubber material acceleration test. The service life formula of the rubber bushing for tracked vehicles was derived using both finite element analysis and the fatigue test. The service life of the rubber bushing for tracked vehicles was estimated to be about 1.7 million cycles at room temperature (initial stage) and about 400,000 cycles when kept in storage for 3 years. Through this paper, the service life for various rubber parts is expected be predicted and evaluated. This will contribute to improving the durability and reliability of rubber components.