Composite dual-conical indentation model for obtaining the hyperelastic constitutive curves of rubber-like materials

Hyperelastic materials, noted for their exceptional elastic recovery and durability, are widely utilized across diverse engineering applications. Accurate evaluation of their mechanical properties under operational conditions is essential for quality control and structural integrity assessment. This study proposes a non-destructive indentation methodology for rubber-like materials based on the energy equivalence principle, focusing on materials governed by the Mooney–Rivlin and Arruda–Boyce constitutive models. A composite dual-conical indentation model (CDIM) is developed by integrating the energy equivalence principle with the two constitutive frameworks. Model parameters were systematically calibrated through comprehensive finite element simulations and subsequently validated through large-scale parametric finite element analyses involving both forward predictions and reverse parameter identifications. Experimental validation was conducted via composite dual-conical indentation tests on four rubber-like materials. The uniaxial mechanical properties derived from indentation data exhibited strong agreement with conventional tensile test results. The proposed method enables accurate, reliable, and non-destructive evaluation of hyperelastic material properties, providing a practical framework for in-situ mechanical characterization and supporting enhanced quality assurance in industrial applications.