Meso-scale modeling of cohesive cavitation in polymer networks
Abstract
Cavitation influences the failure of elastomers and soft adhesives, but connecting its microscopic initiation to subsequent cavity growth remains challenging. Here, we develop a discrete mesoscale framework that combines finitely extensible, breakable strands with local van der Waals interactions to examine how cohesion and network heterogeneity transform distributed dilation into localized damage. In the simulations, local cohesive instability produces a network-scale precursor whose subsequent expansion is coupled to strand stretching and rupture. Cohesive strength and intrinsic defect size govern the critical hydrostatic tension, while cohesion also controls the number and spatial distribution of cavities. Under confined loading, decreasing the layer thickness promotes multiple cavities and distributed strand rupture, extending the load-bearing response and increasing the critical work density of rupture. An energetic interpretation based on the thickness dependence of the crack-driving force connects these observations to competition between additional cavity nucleation and propagation of existing damage. The results link local cohesive instability to the collective evolution of cavities and rupture in disordered polymer networks.
Related
- Mobility and Contact Networks Shape Epidemic Outcomes: A Large-Scale Agent-Based Modeling Study
- Data-Driven Cohesive Zone Modeling within the Generalized Standard Materials Framework
- Multiscale modeling of moisture diffusion in polymer/clay nanocomposites
- Elastic polymer networks of exceptional strength by deconcentrating tension
- Coarse-graining to create minimalist models for dynamic, end-linked star-polymer networks
BibTeX
@misc{assadi2026mesoscale,
title = {{Meso-scale modeling of cohesive cavitation in polymer networks}},
author = {Saleh Assadi and Zachary T. White and Fay Salmon and Nitin Hansoge and Zhuonan Liu and Victor Crespo-Cuevas and Jason Clapper and Nikolaos Bouklas and Franck J. Vernerey},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.17360},
eprint = {2610.17360},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.17360},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Meso-scale modeling of cohesive cavitation in polymer networks
AU - Saleh Assadi
AU - Zachary T. White
AU - Fay Salmon
AU - Nitin Hansoge
AU - Zhuonan Liu
AU - Victor Crespo-Cuevas
AU - Jason Clapper
AU - Nikolaos Bouklas
AU - Franck J. Vernerey
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.17360
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.17360
AB - Cavitation influences the failure of elastomers and soft adhesives, but connecting its microscopic initiation to subsequent cavity growth remains challenging. Here, we develop a discrete mesoscale framework that combines finitely extensible, breakable strands with local van der Waals interactions to examine how cohesion and network heterogeneity transform distributed dilation into localized damage. In the simulations, local cohesive instability produces a network-scale precursor whose subsequent expansion is coupled to strand stretching and rupture. Cohesive strength and intrinsic defect size govern the critical hydrostatic tension, while cohesion also controls the number and spatial distribution of cavities. Under confined loading, decreasing the layer thickness promotes multiple cavities and distributed strand rupture, extending the load-bearing response and increasing the critical work density of rupture. An energetic interpretation based on the thickness dependence of the crack-driving force connects these observations to competition between additional cavity nucleation and propagation of existing damage. The results link local cohesive instability to the collective evolution of cavities and rupture in disordered polymer networks.
ER -