| Abstract | Long fibre thermoplastics (LFT) based on polypropylene/glass fibre (PP/GF) composites has become one of the most widely used plastics in semi-structural and structural automotive applications in both aesthetic and non-aesthetic parts. LFT are commercially available in pre-compounded pellets for injection moulding and are developed with specific properties for targeted functions. In a rationalizing effort to reduce costs, heat histories, and create in-house flexibility of material blending in-line compounding (ILC) of base materials including resin, additives (heat stabilizers, colors, coupling agents, etc.), and glass roving reinforcements for direct moulding of LFT parts (D-LFT) has been developed in the last 10 years. Two major versions of D-LFT technology currently exist on the market, both relying on twin-screw extrusion (one-stage or two-stage) for ILC, one utilizing compression moulding and other injection moulding. While these two technologies share everal similarities, they also present significantly different features in terms of fibre length, orientation and mechanical properties for example, related to their respective processing conditions. The objective of this paper is to address some of them. A Dieffenbacher LFT Direct system, using the compression moulding process, and a Krauss-Maffei Injection Moulding Compounder (IMC), using the injection moulding process, were used to mould similar test parts that have a significant level of complexity in their geometry. Samples taken from the parts and from machine purges for a comparison of the respective fibre distribution patterns of the two moulding technologies using micro focus X-ray computed tomography. A characterization of their fibre length distribution was also performed on these samples from pyrolysis and image analysis. Resulting mechanical properites were then added to the comparison matrix to provide a comprehensive picture of the two moulding technologies. |
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