Sustainable elastomers by short aramid fiber reinforcement

Short fiber reinforced composites are finding ever-increasing applications in engineering and in consumer goods. The term “short fiber” means that the fibers in the composites have a length which is neither too high to allow individual fibers to entangle with each other, nor too low for the fibers to lose their fibrous characteristics. The term “composites” signifies that the two main constituents, i.e., the short fibers and the matrix remain recognizable in the designed material.

Among different short fiber reinforced composites, those with rubbery matrices are obtaining an increasing importance due to the advantages they impart in processing and low cost coupled with high strength. These composites can offer a unique combination of properties or may be used simply because they are more economical than competing materials.

By adding suitable fibers and by controlling factors such as the aspect ratio, the dispersion and orientation of fibers, and the fiber-matrix adhesion, significant improvements in property can be achieved with thermoplastic, thermosetting and rubbery polymers. However on the contrary to long fiber composites, it is rather difficult to measure orientation, dispersion and adhesion of these fibers to rubber matrices.

The main objective of this project would be to reach a scientific understanding of adhesion of short aramid fibers (Twaron fibers from Teijin Aramid) to rubber matrices.

Master/ Bachelor assignments are:

-	Swelling method and different microscopy methods to determine the orientation and dispersion (and adhesion?) of short aramid fibers to rubber matrices.

-	Developing a method based on surface changes in rubber-short fiber composites as a result of applying stress, to measure the adhesion of fibers to matrix

Contact:

Morteza Shirazi

Horst, room: Z123

tel: 3948

email: s.sadatshirazi@utwente.nl