4
1
digital display, product, etc. The processability in polymeric composites is defined as a set of input in terms of reinforcement and
matrix that are converted into a desirable polymeric composite
product through appropriate processing equipment and using optimized processing parameters. The term desirable is important
because it qualifies the technology component in processability or,
in other words, qualifies for technological matured preprocess
where quality, cost, and customer satisfaction are catered for.
Processability defines the processing of a particular composite that
is amenable to a particular processing method or not. For example,
processability of short, glass fibre-reinforced nylon composite using
injection mouldings is possible to fabricate a product, but the same
product is not processable using long glass fibres or epoxy resin in
the injection moulding process.
? Example 1.1 Why are glass or carbon fabric-reinforced nylon
composites not processed through a direct injection moulding
process?
v Answer
There is a limitation of processability of glass/carbon fabric in
direct injection moulding due to the restriction of the physical
dimension of reinforcement that can’t pass through the
injection barrel and nozzle of injection moulding machine. The
fabric architecture does not allow the composite mixture to
flow through the injection barrel and the injection nozzle;
therefore, direct injection moulding is not feasible.
However, it is to be noted that in automated processing, such as
injection moulding, the processing is governed by the allowable
processing limits offered by the moulding technology. However,
cases of semiautomated or manual processing technologies (such as
hand layup, compression moulding, etc.) allow a higher freedom of
choices of raw materials, creating wider processability options.
Processability provides a window to produce desired products
with one or many processing options. The correct processing option
will ensure quality, cost effectiveness of the product, and customer
satisfaction. The main purpose of processability is to ensure functionality, quality, and cost of the product to suit the customer
demand. Therefore, processability directly controls the properties,
performance, and cost of the product, as shown in . Fig. 1.1.
Processability delves in both choice of materials and processing
technologies in the design and manufacture of polymeric composites. It offers choice of processing technologies according to the
application of desired product. For example, composite products
with large dimension tolerances may be made using a contact layup
process, whereas the same product may be made using a compression moulding process with higher dimension accuracies. The difference in the cost of manufacture in terms of cost of processing
equipment, mould/die, choice of materials, expertise, maintenance
costs, etc. is much higher for the compression moulding process
than for the contact layup process.
Chapter 1 · Introduction
1
digital display, product, etc. The processability in polymeric composites is defined as a set of input in terms of reinforcement and
matrix that are converted into a desirable polymeric composite
product through appropriate processing equipment and using optimized processing parameters. The term desirable is important
because it qualifies the technology component in processability or,
in other words, qualifies for technological matured preprocess
where quality, cost, and customer satisfaction are catered for.
Processability defines the processing of a particular composite that
is amenable to a particular processing method or not. For example,
processability of short, glass fibre-reinforced nylon composite using
injection mouldings is possible to fabricate a product, but the same
product is not processable using long glass fibres or epoxy resin in
the injection moulding process.
? Example 1.1 Why are glass or carbon fabric-reinforced nylon
composites not processed through a direct injection moulding
process?
v Answer
There is a limitation of processability of glass/carbon fabric in
direct injection moulding due to the restriction of the physical
dimension of reinforcement that can’t pass through the
injection barrel and nozzle of injection moulding machine. The
fabric architecture does not allow the composite mixture to
flow through the injection barrel and the injection nozzle;
therefore, direct injection moulding is not feasible.
However, it is to be noted that in automated processing, such as
injection moulding, the processing is governed by the allowable
processing limits offered by the moulding technology. However,
cases of semiautomated or manual processing technologies (such as
hand layup, compression moulding, etc.) allow a higher freedom of
choices of raw materials, creating wider processability options.
Processability provides a window to produce desired products
with one or many processing options. The correct processing option
will ensure quality, cost effectiveness of the product, and customer
satisfaction. The main purpose of processability is to ensure functionality, quality, and cost of the product to suit the customer
demand. Therefore, processability directly controls the properties,
performance, and cost of the product, as shown in . Fig. 1.1.
Processability delves in both choice of materials and processing
technologies in the design and manufacture of polymeric composites. It offers choice of processing technologies according to the
application of desired product. For example, composite products
with large dimension tolerances may be made using a contact layup
process, whereas the same product may be made using a compression moulding process with higher dimension accuracies. The difference in the cost of manufacture in terms of cost of processing
equipment, mould/die, choice of materials, expertise, maintenance
costs, etc. is much higher for the compression moulding process
than for the contact layup process.
Chapter 1 · Introduction