Effects of fiber aspect ratio, fiber content, and bonding agent on tensileand tear properties of short-fiber reinforced rubber

Both tensile and tear properties of short-fiber reinforced Chloroprene rubb er have been studied as functions of the fiber aspect ratio and fiber conte nt. Both properties increased when both the fiber aspect ratio and fiber co ntent were increased. The fiber reinforced rubbers exhibited maximum values of these properties at a fiber aspect ratio of about 300. When the fiber a spect ratio exceeds 400, the mechanical properties decreased with the fiber content because of the non-uniform dispersion of fibers. The tensile modul us was compared with the prediction by the Halpin-Tsai equations for random ly oriented cases. A bonding agent was used in the fiber treating process. It was found that the ultimate tensile strength, torque. tearing energy and tensile modulus of the rubbers with treated fibers were much higher than t hose with untreated ones.