Molding of Oriented Short Fiber Composites. I. Ultimate Tensile Properties
Abstract
Several aspects of composite structure that affect the mechanical performance of polymers reinforced with short fibers are fiber length, fiber concentration, void content, dispersion of fibers, fiber orientation, and wetting. This report describes the dependence of these structural variables on the molding compound composition and on the processing conditions for flow (plunger) moldings of epoxy resin reinforced with short glass fibers. The methods used in this study for characterizing the composite structure are also presented. Since the primary structural variables mentioned above cannot in practice be changed independently, the measured tensile strengths and ultimate elongations of molded specimens are correlated directly with the preparation techniques and processing conditions used in their fabrication. It is found that voids, wetting, and dispersion are not critical when the fibers are properly aligned into the direction of highest stress. The fibers must be equal to or longer than one-eighth of an inch to sustain high loads in the epoxy system studied.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0754763
Entities
People
- Lloyd A. Goettler
Organizations
- Monsanto