Rubber Failure Analysis Demonstrates Rubber Fatigue

California rubber failure analysis expert performs a failure analysis on a rubber paddle. This piece failed as a result of fatigue. The fatigue failure initiated on the outer surface at a stress riser and progressed inwards. This is demonstrated by the photomicrographs above. Upper left is taken at 10X. Upper right is taken at 40X. The fracture surface has all the aspects of a classic fatigue failure.