EFFECT OF FIBER CONCENTRATION AND PROCESS PARAMETERS ON FIBER ORIENTATION IN, AND MODULUS OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE FIBER

摘要

This study is focused on delineating the effect of material, die, and process parameters on the orientation of short high aspect ratio glass fibers in polyethylene composite fiber extrudates. The effect of die entry angle, fiber weight fraction and screw speed on fiber orientation was systematically studied. The fiber orientation was characterized using X-ray tomography. The fiber orientation decreased with apparent viscosity of the melt in the die and the latter varied with die entry angle, screw speed, and fiber weight fraction in the feed.