Document Abstract
ANTEC Papers: 2001
0549: The Influence of Rotational Shear Pultrusion on Fiber Concentration and W
Larry V. Montsinger MTI Thermoplastic Composites division of Montsinger Technologies, Inc. Charlotte, NC
New technology was developed to impregnate continuous glass fiber with molten thermoplastic polypropylene for manufacturing long fiber compounds. A composite with a polypropylene matrix and glass fiber reinforcement was made by rotation of a die orifice chamber about an axially directed roving of continuous fiber in the presence of the thermoplastic melt. The rotation reduced the melt viscosity of the polymer by shear thinning, while dragging and directing the polymer into the fiber, thereby wetting and dispersing the fiber. Fiber concentration was strongly influenced by the rotational speed of the die in conjunction with the line speed of the strand. Fiber wet out, measured by the shear strength of the strand, was improved at higher rotational speed and line speed.