Fatigue-induced stress-softening in cross-linked multi-network elastomers: Effect of damage accumulation

Cross-linked elastomers are reinforced elastomers with high stretchability and toughness. However, most elastomeric materials lose their toughness due to the accumulation of damage under cyclic loadings during their lifetime. While recent advances in the process and characterization of the multi-network elastomers have led to significant improvements in their properties, our understandings of the accumulated damage mechanisms within the material...