Conclusion

When forming thermoplastics reinforced with discontinuous fibers, flow mechanics play an essential role in the distribution of fiber orientation and, ultimately, in the development of composite parts with optimal properties. From a qualitative standpoint, the effects of basic flows such as shear and elongation are now widely known. However, measuring fiber orientation remains a laborious and time-consuming task. This article shows that models predicting fiber orientation are constantly improving and are producing increasingly quantitative results. Engineers can therefore design parts that fully exploit the capabilities offered by discontinuous fiber composites. Although the calculations required are becoming more complex, computer-aided engineering software is now available that integrates the coupling between orientation calculations and calculations of induced mechanical properties....