Abstract

The gasket applic ations employ ethylene-propylene diene-rubber, natural rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
(NBR), chloroprene rubber elastomers with reinforcing effects of asbestos, certain synthetic fibers like nylon.
The ban of asbestos due to its hazardous nature and the advancement in fibers has led to the development of
short fiber (nonasbestos) reinforced elastomers for gasket applications. This study aims at the improvement of
some properties of NBR reinforced by short aramid fiber. The usage of bonding systems such as resorcinol/
hexamethylenetetramine/silica (HRH) enhances the fiber/NBR adhesion and maintains optimum composite
strength properties. Mechanical properties of composites, namely, tensile strength, hardness, and modulus at
100% elongation, compression set can be enhanced by adding aramid fibers. In addition to this, thermal stability
of the composites, properties after aging and after fluid interactions are the main objectives of this study.