Brass plated carbon fiber reinforced rubber

Abstract

Reinforced elastomeric compositions comprising brass plated fibers comprising a core material of carbon, glass, polymer or metal covered with a layer of brass incorporated into an elastomeric material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Brass plated fibers comprising a core material of carbon, glass, polymer or metal which is covered with a layer of brass.  
     
     
         2 . A reinforced elastomeric composition comprising rubber or elastomeric material reinforced with the brass plated fibers according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, polymer, and metal.  
     
     
         4 . A product formed from the composition of  claim 1 , wherein the product has at least one outer surface and said fibers are oriented perpendicular to said outer surface.  
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 4 , wherein the product is a heat sink.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 2  having a tailorable coefficient of thermal expansion.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion is negative or zero.  
     
     
         8 . A product formed from the composition of  claim 2 , wherein said product is a belt, hose or a tire.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the brass is applied to said fiber by lectroplating, electroless plating or chemical vapor deposition.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the metal plated fibers comprise a coating formed of a sizing agent applied before the metal plated fibers are incorporated into the elastomeric material.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the elastomer comprises vulcanized or unvulcanized natural rubber, nylon, polyester, styrene, vinyl, fluoropolymer and synthetic rubbers.