Mullins Effect in Multi-Network Elastomers

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Rubbers exhibit a Mullins effect: softening occurs upon a first cycle of loading, but the stiffness is recovered above the previous maximum strain (memory effect).
molecular dynamics of rubber
Multi-network elastomers (complex rubber) exhibit a Mullins effect:
- softening occurs upon a first cycle of loading,
- the elastomer stiffness is recovered above the previous maximum strain (memory effect)
This effect has been attributed to rupture in the first network, eliminating the constraint on the second network, a scenario that has never been proven.

This master projects aims at testing this hypothesis via molecular dynamics simulations closely related to experiments.
Published on November 28, 2023
Updated on January 6, 2025