Spatial distribution of strain-induced structures around crack tip of crosslinked natural rubber

In order to understand the local structure and strain field around crack tip of natural rubber (NR) quantitatively, mapping experiments by simultaneous measurements of small angle scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle diffraction (WAXD) were performed using micro X-ray beam of 5 microns in diameter. By converting the transmittance data into thickness, strain distribution around the crack tip was revealed. According to the WAXD data, the crystalline zone was found to be highly localized. At the same time, very sharp streaks were observed in the SAXS patterns at the very edge of the crack tip, which indicate formation and possible expose of fibrils.
In order to understand the local structure and strain field around crack tip of natural rubber (NR) quantitatively, mapping experiments by simultaneous measurements of small angle scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle diffraction (WAXD) were performed using micro X-ray beam of 5 microns in diameter. By converting the transmittance data into thickness, strain distribution around the crack tip was revealed. According to the WAXD data, the crystalline zone was found to be highly localized. At the same time, very sharp streaks were observed in the SAXS patterns at the very edge of the crack tip, which indicate formation and possible expose of fibrils.