Elastomeric materials reinforced with small diameter glass fibers

Abstract

Elastomeric materials reinforced with short small diameter insulating glass fibers are disclosed. The elastomeric materials may be any of a variety of natural or synthetic rubbers or rubber-like elastomers. The glass fibers are those commonly designated AAA through B diameters (0.5 to 3.8 microns) and have lengths of from about 3 mm to about 50 mm. Whereas the large diameter fibers commonly considered to be "reinforcing fibers" have been found not to provide satisfactory reinforcement to elastomers, it has now been unexpectedly discovered that the very small diameter insulating fibers, previously believed not to be satisfactory for reinforcement purposes, do in fact provide excellent reinforcement to elastomers. Similarly, it has now been found that short individual fibers, loose or in wool form, can be used for reinforcement instead of the long strands and bundles of continuous glass filaments and woven glass fabrics heretofore relied on by the art. The reinforcement properties of the short small diameter fibers may be significantly enhanced by the presence of carbon black in the elastomer compound. The elastomeric materials reinforced in accordance with the present invention, with or without the carbon black component, find use in various heated and molded rubber products, such as gaskets, tire treads, sheet packings and the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.