ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the short and long fiber-reinforced rubber composites with special emphasis on their characterization, properties, and applications. The degree of short fiber reinforcement of an elastomeric matrix is governed largely by the following characteristic properties of the fiber: aspect ratio, adhesion to the matrix, dispersion in the matrix, and processibility and flexibility. H. Hisaki et al. and Y. Kubo proposed a three-layer model composed of fibers, adhesive agents, and elastomers to explain the adhesion between elastomers and fibers. There are several reports available on the adhesion of rubber to glass fibers and most of them deal with dipping of glass fibers in the adhesive solution or application of silane coupling agent. The fiber-reinforced rubber composites are characterized by the extremely low stiffness of the rubber matrix compared to that of the reinforcing cords. Rubber–rubber and rubber–plastics blends are also used as matrices for fiber reinforcement.
