Dynamic mechanical properties of short carbon fiber‐filled styrene–isoprene–styrene block copolymer

The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of short carbon fiber‐filled styrene–isoprene–styrene (S–I–S) block thermoplastic elastomeric composite have been studied. Brabender mixing followed by milling of the fiber–rubber compositions caused about a 30‐fold decrease in the fiber aspect ratio and random fiber orientation. Although low‐strain moduli increased on fiber incorporation, tensile and tear properties dropped and anisotropy in mechanical properties was not observed. Tan δ values at the T g region decreased on filler incorporation, but at room temperature, the tan δ values increased with filler loading. The variation of storage moduli and tan δ values with frequency followed a pattern similar to the variation of these properties with filler incorporation.