Short fibre and particulate-reinforced rubber composites

Particulate fillers (carbon black and silica) and short fibre (aromatic polyamide, Kevlar(R)) have been utilised to produce rubber composites based on acrylonitrile-co-butadiene rubber (NBR). Mechanical properties of these composites have been determined and compared with unfilled rubber vulcanisate. The effect of surface treatment on the improvement of strength, in case of Kevlar, has also been considered. The influence of elevated temperature on tear strength, an important failure criterion, has been evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy has been used as a tool to correlate the topographical features associated with changes in the tear strength of the composites.