Finite element analysis of rubber bushings using Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic model for performance evaluation

Rubber-metal bushings are used at connection points in mechanical systems as vibration dampers and fasteners to compensate for unstable behavior in the system. For this reason, rubber-metal bushings are preferred especially in suspension systems in the automotive industry for safety and comfort. Different directions of movements and forces determine the design of the bushings. Bushes are basically single layer bushings consisting of inner bushing, outer bushing and rubber material filling between the bushes. Bushes may contain different sub-components in terms of their usage and functions and they can have various geometries. The physical properties of the weakest component are critical in design and manufacture. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to test the bushes with elastomeric character under mass production conditions. This study employs the Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic material model to meticulously simulate the behavior of rubber bushings in finite element analysis (FEA). The geometric design parameters, including the inner and outer diameters, thickness, and mounting shape, are carefully considered to enhance performance. The assessment of model performance is carried out by incorporating the static and dynamic loading conditions with the detailed comprehensive analysis. Using a suitable mesh structure and boundary conditions enables the detection of critical stress areas, which supports the optimization of deformation and stiffness. The prototype is also tested for the validating the reliability of the design. This in turn decreases the time, and cost along with the production and high-performance bushings.