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1970302 
Journal Article 
DEVELOPMENT AND FIELD PERFORMANCE OF TANK TRACK PAD COMPOUNDS 
Thavamani, P; Khastgir, DK; Bhowmick, AK 
1993 
1 
Plastics, Rubber & Composites Processing and Applications
ISSN: 0959-8111
EISSN: 1876-4681 
ELSEVIER SCI LTD 
OXFORD 
19 
4 
245-254 
English 
WOS:A1993LD44000007 
This paper discusses the development of suitable compounds by optimising critical properties, manufacturing, field testing, failure analysis and mechanism of wear of tank track pads for a main battle tank. Four compounds based on natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), NR-SBR, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) were developed with optimum physical properties. Optimum rubber-to-metal bonding strength was obtained with 50% concentration by volume of a double-coat bonding system, Chemlok 205 in MIBK and Chemlok 220 in toluene. Though the heat generation of HNBR pads was highest, its volume loss was about 2-2.5 times less than those of others. Failure analysis indicated that NR pads underwent extensive thermal degradation while other pads became brittle. The microscopic study on the abraded surface of field tested pads revealed that the failure of the pads based on NR, SBR, NR-SBR took place by a ridge or pattern formation mechanism, and on HNBR pads by an abrasive or particulate wear mechanism.