Purpose <p>The present study addresses a mathematical model involving an initially stressed rotating fiber-reinforced thermoelastic half-space and a rotating microelongated thermoelastic half-space, both within the framework of the modified Green-Lindsay (MGL) model of generalized thermoelasticity that incorporates strain rate effects. The lifetime and performance of structures designed with smart materials are negatively impacted by a number of factors, including the unavoidable occurrence of interfacial deficiencies as a result of accumulated damages. In light of this, the interface between the involved half-spaces is presumed to be imperfect.</p> Methods <p>In this work, the two half-spaces are connected through an imperfect interface, and the reflection and transmission phenomena of waves are investigated when a plane wave is made incident at this imperfect interface through the initially stressed fiber-reinforced thermoelastic rotating half-space.</p> Results <p>The analysis reveals that the complete reflection and transmission phenomena for all the specific forms of interface towards varying angles of incidence are consistent with the law of conservation of energy. A numerical example is conducted to visually illustrate the analytical results.</p> Conclusions <p>Based on the characteristics of the half-spaces, an incident plane wave produces three reflected waves and four transmitted waves. An estimation has been derived for the amplitude ratios of different reflected and transmitted waves in relation to the incident wave. Furthermore, the inferred findings are confirmed by means of the previously established classical results.</p>