Effect of mold temperature on motion behavior of short glass fibers in injection molding process

Abstract

In injection molding process, the mold temperature can strongly affect the fiber orientation and distribution state in plastic parts. The fiber orientation behavior is discussed, and a model is used to describe the layered structure in injection parts. By studying the injected specimens, the fiber distribution and the layered structure in the part are illustrated and a variation of the fiber distribution along with the increasing of the mold temperatures is also demonstrated. The surface morphologies of the fiber-reinforced specimens at different mold temperatures are analyzed which are used to study the effect of the mold temperature on the fiber motion process of the resultant parts. Results show that in proper mold temperature, the fibers can be completely covered in polymer matrix and the mold temperature can greatly affect the part surface quality.