Effect of long aramid fiber on the properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber composites based on extrusion.

In this paper, long aramid fiber (LAF) reinforced styrene‐butadiene rubber/carbon black composites was prepared via a high pressure and low shear rate extrusion process, and the average length of the remaining fiber exceeded 6 mm. With LAF as reinforcement phase, the bonding between the fiber coated with butadiene styrene vinyl‐pyridine rubber latex and rubber matrix was increased. The results showed that the addition of LAF improved the properties of the composites, particularly in terms of dynamic fatigue life of the notched samples, which was increased by 352.7%. The long fibers with good interfacial bonding were peeled off in fatigue process, which can significantly absorb strain energy; thus, the propagation of fatigue cracks was effectively inhibited. This study proposes a feasible strategy to significantly improve the service life of rubber products under alternating stress, such as tires, by using the reinforcement of long fiber. Highlights: The unique extrusion process ensures 70% of the fibers are over 5 mm in length in rubber.Long aramid fiber has a unique advantage in inhibiting fatigue crack propagation.This study proposes a strategy to gain the rubber products life under alternating stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]