A cyclic stress softening model for the Mullins effect

In this paper the inelastic features of stress relaxation, hysteresis and residual strain are combined with the Arruda–Boyce eight-chain model of elasticity, in order to develop a model that is capable of describing the Mullins effect for cyclic stress-softening of an incompressible hyperelastic material, in particular a carbon-filled rubber vulcanizate. We have been unable to identify in the literature any other model that takes into consideration all the above inelastic features of the cyclic stress-softening of carbon-filled rubber. Our model compares favourably with experimental data and gives a good description of stress-softening, hysteresis, stress relaxation, residual strain and creep of residual strain.