INNOVATIVE MACHINERY DESIGN TO PROCESS DISCONTINUOUS LONG FIBER COMPOSITES

CURRENT EQUIPMENT PROCESS TECHNIQUES, FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTS FROM DISCONTINUOUS LONG FIBER COMPOSITE MATERIAL, EXHIBIT DEFICIENCIES WHICH INCLUDE LOW LAMINAR SHEAR STRENGTH, LOW TRANSVERSE TENSILE STRENGTH, POOR IMPACTRESISTANCE AND POOR FRACTURE TOUGHNESS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY TO DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE EQUIPMENT WHICH WILL PROCESS ADVANCED RESIN DISCONTINUOUS LONG FIBER COMPOSITES (1/2 TO 2 INCHES IN LENGTH) IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. THIS MOLDING EQUIPMENT SHOULD MAINTAIN THE FIBER LENGTH, ORIENTATION, DISPERSION AND WET OUT, THUS IMPROVING INTERLAMINAR SHEAR STRENGTH, IMPACT RESISTANCE AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS. WE EXPECT TO PROVE OUT THE CONCEPT THAT THE INNOVATIVE MACHINERY WILL BE ABLE TO MOLD RECYCLED RESIN INTO A USABLE QUALITY PRODUCT WHEN COMBINED WITH DISCONTINUOUS LONG FIBER COMPOSITES.