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Mold‐filling simulations for the injection molding of continuous fiber‐reinforced polymer
Author(s) -
Chan A. W.,
Hwang S.T.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760280508
Subject(s) - mold , materials science , transfer molding , composite material , molding (decorative) , polymer , heat transfer , fiber , porosity , mechanics , physics
Injection molding can be used to fabricate fiber‐reinforced polymer composites by impregnating a continuous fabric mat preplaced in a mold cavity with a polymer resin. The mold‐filling time is dependent on the flow and heat transfer behavior in the mold. A model is proposed that considers the non‐Newtonian How through the porous fabric mat and the heat transfer between mold, fabric mat, and flowing fluid. The model was simulated for the mold filling of a carbon fiber mat with a pseudoplastic polymer solution. The results from the simulation provide Information for optimizing mold‐filling parameters through proper selection of inlet fluid pressure, heat source temperature, and type of polymer‐solvent system.