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Thermal Expansion Anisotropy in Injection-Moulded Natural-Fibre Composites F. R. Cichocki, Jr., Owens Corning Science and Technology, 2790 Columbus Rd., Granville, OH 43023, e-mail: rick.cichocki@owenscorning.com Received 8/01; accepted 11/01)
Recently much effort has been devoted to the development of natural-fibre composites produced via injection moulding. Although several processing-cost benefits may be associated with the injection moulding process, the microstructures of injection-moulded composites can be quite complex and anisotropic. In this study, the thermal expansion anisotropy that may develop in injection moulded natural-fibre composites has been investigated. A thermal mechanical analyser (TMA) has been employed to determine the thermal expansion properties of jute and sisal-fibre reinforced polypropylene composites injection-moulded into the form of tensile bars and disks. Measurements indicated that thermal expansion coefficients of tensile bars in the melt-flow direction may be 5 to 7 times less than thermal expansion coefficients in the cross-flow direction.
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