Mechanical and acoustic performance prediction model for elastomers in different environmental conditions

This study focuses on the constitutive model including temperature and pressure effects to investigate the dynamic, mechanical and acoustic properties of elastomers in frequency domain under different underwater conditions. The developed constitutive relation is based on Harvriliak-Negami (H-N) model by implementing experimental Young's modulus data and by using Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) shift function for relaxation time calculation. The H-N model accurately captures the dynamic mechanical modulus for wide range of frequencies for constant temperature and pressure based on measured DMTA (dynamic mechanical thermal analysis) data. Since the WLF shift function is related with the relaxation time for different temperatures and pressures, the proposed model represents a simple and accurate prediction of dynamic modulus for varying external conditions. Relationship between Young's modulus and acoustic properties of the rubber structure can be established by investigating the hydro-wave propagation process. The predictions from the proposed model are verified by comparing with mechanical and acoustic experimental data at different temperatures and pressures. Additionally, the parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of H-N parameters on mechanical and acoustic properties of elastomer materials. The proposed model can be used to predict the mechanical and acoustic properties in different environmental conditions accurately