Simulation of Compression Molding with Matrix-Fibre Separation and Fibre Orientation for Long Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics**

Abstract

A model is presented which can be used to predict the flow under consideration of fibre-matrix separation and fibre orientation during sheet-like parts compression molding of long fibre-reinforced thermoplastics for isothermal state. During a molding, fibre content and fibre orientation distributions are calculated from the separation and orientation equations, and the viscosity of composites is expressed as a function of fibre content and fibre orientation. Based on the viscosity, the model was developed using the finite element method, and random and unidirectional reinforced composites are simulated. By comparing the theory with experimental results, the model accurately predicts mold filling patterns for the composite materials.

Optimisation of location and dimension of SMC precharge in compression moulding process

“…The numbers of grids for the design variables are set as 2 5 À 1, 2 4 À 1, 2 5 À 1, 2 4 À 1, respectively. In this case, 2 18 solutions exist in the search space.…”

“…The generalised Hele-Shaw (GHS) model proposed by Folgar and Tucker [1] is taken for the flow analysis of the compression moulding process. Regarding the change of fibre volume fraction during the manufacturing process, the fibre separation due to matrix-matrix and fibre-fibre interactions was proposed by Yoo [2] and Hojo et al [3,4]. They modelled the fibre separation from the equilibrium between the drag force and the network force on fibres so as to predict fibre fraction.…”

Effect of Fiber Content and Fiber Orientation on the Tensile Strength in Glass Mat Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet

“…Fiber orientation can happen by material factor such as intervening power of each fiber according to fiber diameter, the length of fiber, and molding factor such as closing speed of mold, molding press and the temperature of mold. The products press-molded are not uniform because of fiber orientation and shows anisotropy, so it has a lot of effects on the mechanical properties of molded products [1,2].…”

Measurement of Fiber Content in Glass Mat Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet by Image Processing

“…When GMT-Sheet is flux molded and compressed at high temperature (secondary processing), the flow of material cause the separation of matrix with reinforcements and fiber orientation occurred, so the molding becomes heterogeneous. That is, the distribution fiber content ratio is different in each parts of molding, fiber orientation occurred and accordingly moldings strength and characteristic changes [1][2][3][4]. Therefore, in compression mold with composites, fiber content and fiber orientation are the basic factors which can be understood as indexes of properties [5][6][7][8].…”