Mechanical and microscopic investigation of whisker‐reinforced silicone rubber

Franklin Fiber whisker‐reinforced silicone rubber composites were molded using both transfer and compression molding. Processing parameters, such as sprue design, milling procedure, and mold temperature were varied. The fiber orientation in the composites is anisotropic and independent of sprue design and mold temperature, but dependent on milling procedure. Fiber attrition is significant for all samples. The Young's modulus is affected by fiber orientation. The experimental modulus values are higher than those predicted by the Halpin‐Tsai equations for short fibers.