Orientation Development of Mixed Anisotropic Particles in Compounds

Abstract

Abstract An experimental study of the development of orientation of mixed fiber and flake polymer compounds in polymer processing operation including extrusion and molding is discussed. Aramid fiber and talc and mica flakes are studied. The orientation of the particles is determined using wide angle x-ray diffraction. It is found that mixed particle systems lead to lower orientation of both fibers and flakes. The fibers tend to orient in the primary machine direction, while the flakes tend to orient perpendicular to the fibers. This is distinct from fiber compounds and flake compounds where fibers orient in the plane of the machine and transverse directions and flakes orient parallel to machine surfaces.