Study on Fiber Orientation of Short-Fiber-Reinforced Rubber Matrix Sealing Composites Based on Digital Image Processing

The short fiber orientation has significant influence on the behaviors of short fiber reinforced rubber matrix composite (SFRC). By using slicing method in deep cooling environment, the smooth and flat cross section of SFRC sample was obtained at-150degC and the micrograph of the cross section was taken by using a high magnified microscope. The digital image processing software was developed to recognize the elliptical profile of the short fiber cross section from its background. Then the oriented angle of the short fiber can be determined according to the major axis and minor axis of the elliptical profile. The oriented angle distribution of short fibers was statistically analyzed by using histogram method and characterized by modified coefficient. The investigation results indicate that the oriented angle of short fiber in SFRC distributes symmetrically about 0deg approximately, and it tends to centralized distribution with the increasing short fiber content and the initial fiber length.