Complex shaped-reinforced thermoplastic production

The process of injection molding (IM) is used principally for processing unreinforced or glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics (TPs) and thermosets (TSs) (Figure 4.1). Up to at least 90wt% of all plastics processed are TPs. There are many different types or designs of IM machines (IMMs) that permit molding many different products based on factors such as quantities, sizes (such as auto bumpers to medical micro products), shapes (simple to complex), product performances, and/or economics.1,150>157,173 176 476... 

Furthermore, the production of complex shaped parts is still a challenge for the composite industry. Parts with relatively simple geometries are commonplace today for reinforced thermoplastic composites the pultrusion of simple sections and the compression molding of parts with simple curvature are examples of well-developed technologies. But the production of complex three-dimensional parts usually requires injection or compression molding. Assembly technologies used to obtain complex geometries are sometimes inefficient and costly. 

It has been well recognized that melt blending of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and an isotropic polymer produces a composite in which fibrous LCP domains dispersed within the blend act as a reinforcement il ). The so-called insitu composite possesses several advantages in comparison with the inorganic reinforced thermoplastic composites. Firstly, LCP lowers the blend viscosity in the actual fabrication temperature range (3-5), Hence, the enhanced processability endows moldability for fine and complex shaped products. 

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