Abstract
The mechanical characteristics of GMT strong depend on processing parameters. Processing simulation codes give satisfactory results on mould-filling, but not yet on fibre orientation and mechanical performance. This paper describes a method for quantifying fibre orientation in compression-moulded plates. Needled- and paper type-GMT blanks were moulded between parallel platens, inducing one- and two- dimensional flow fields. The fibre orientation was measured and compared to theories based on Jeffery's equation. Matching results were obtained for paper-type-GMT. Due to the different and complex orientation mechanism of needled-GMT, new mathematical models describing the orientation of this type of GMT need to be developed.
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