ABSTRACT
Blade abrasion devices have been used to investigate the abrasion resistance of different elastomers. This investigation examines the effect of the normal and frictional forces on the rate and direction of crack growth during the abrasion process. Comparison is drawn between the rates of material loss as measured experimentally under a range of test conditions and the predictions calculated using a fracture mechanics based finite element analysis. These models can predict the rate of any resulting tearing process. To do this a series of different finite element models were developed to investigate the tearing processes at a specific asperity under each revolution or pass of the abrasion blade. Several factors such as changes to the material properties, the loading conditions, the testing temperature, the geometry of the abrader, the moisture content in the air and the presence of liquids at the surface alter the rate of abrasion, indicating that the exact mechanism that controls the abrasion process is probably complex.
