Effects of short fiber diameter on mechanics of rubber composites

Three neoprene rubber composites reinforced by polyester fiber with different diameters but the same length/diameter ratio and distribution were prepared. Effects on yield strength and elongation ratio, rupture strength and elongation ratio and tearing strength were studied. Results indicate that the yield strength and elongation ratio is different from the traditional mixing method when the composites have the same length/diameter ratio. It not only depends on fiber diameter but also on fiber length. The rupture strength of composites basically has no difference when the fiber volume fraction is the same, but the elongation ratio increases with the decrease of fiber diameter. The tearing strength increases with the decrease of fiber diameter.