New Elastomer Composite Increases the Durability of Natural Rubber Parts for Superior Performance of Bushings and Mounts

Chitrabala Subramanian; Vijay Tirumala; Bill Williams; David Reynolds

doi:10.4271/2013-01-1923

Transfinity® elastomer composites are a new class of material that drastically improves the durability of elastomer parts. Vehicle engineers can take advantage of improved elastomer endurance to design longer lasting engine mounts and suspension bushings without compromising vibration isolation performance. This is particularly important in NVH component design, which requires management of trade-offs in fatigue life, vibration and noise suppression.

Transfinity products are composites made by direct mixing of elastomer latex and reinforcing particles, such as carbon black. The products are produced in a novel liquid-phase mixing process that revolutionizes elastomer compound mixing, replacing the traditional solid-state mixing process for the incorporation of reinforcing agents like carbon black into rubber. This liquid phase mixing achieves excellent dispersion of carbon black in the rubber matrix, creates a material that is mechanically superior to conventional elastomers mixed in the solid state, and enables significant increases in the fatigue life of elastomer parts.

This paper will introduce the unique performance characteristics of Transfinity elastomer composites and will highlight how these products can be used to improve designs of components like engine mounts and suspension bushings.

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New Elastomer Composite Increases the Durability of Natural Rubber Parts for Superior Performance of Bushings and Mounts 2013-01-1923

SAE MOBILUS