Microstructure and properties of layered metal/rubber composites subjected to cyclic and impact loading

The paper is devoted to investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of five-layered metal/rubber composites. The composites were produced by hot bonding of alternating low carbon steel or/and aluminum alloy and rubber layers. Metal/rubber composites can be used as vibration and sound absorbing material in constructions of high-speed trains. In order to study mechanical properties of five-layered metal/rubber composites, impact cyclic and fatigue tests of the obtained composites with different structure was carried out. The tear test results indicated that adhesion bond strength of steel/rubber joint is higher than one of aluminium/rubber joint for the reason of activating and passivating effect of oxide films at interfaces. The impact test results shown that layered architecture of the composite with steel (60 vol%) and rubber (40 vol%) component provides holding of composite's impact strength at the level of monolithic low carbon steel with reducing the weight of steel products on 30%. The increased resistance of metal-rubber composites to fatigue fracture at ambient temperature under 100,000-cyclic bending was established. Grain-subgrain refinement, increase in dislocation density and fragmentation of large inclusions were realized on the outer steel and aluminium layers of composites under cyclic loading. The microstructure transformation led to strengthening of composites.