Rheological Characteristics of Short Nylon-6 Fiber-Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Containing Epoxy Resin as Bonding Agent

The rheological characteristics of short nylon-6 fiber-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were studied with respect to the effect of shear rate, fiber concentration, and temperature on shear viscosity and die swell using a capillary rheometer. All the melts showed pseudoplastic nature, which decreased with increasing temperature and in the presence of short fibers. Shear viscosity was increased in the presence of fibers. Die swell was reduced in the presence of fibers. Relative viscosity of the gum compound was less than one at all shear rates and temperatures. Activation energy of flow of the composite-containing bonding agent was higher at higher fiber loading and higher shear rates. Die swell increased marginally in the presence of the bonding agent.