Some Applications of Elasticity Theory to Rubber Engineering

Some of the implications of the classical elasticity theory of infinitesimal deformations and of the more general theory of the large elastic deformation of incompressible, isotropic materials in the engineering of vulcanised rubbers are discussed. It is not possible to deal exhaustively in a short paper with all the applications which can be envisaged. However, a few of them are indicated in order to draw attention to the desirability of taking these theories into consideration in the design and testing of rubber components. In the paper, only the case of static deformations is considered.