Reinforcement Challenges and Solutions in Optimized Design of Injection Molded Plastic Parts

The mechanical performance of injection molded glass-fiber reinforced plastic parts is highly anisotropic and depends strongly on the kinetics (orientation and distribution) of the glass-fiber and the part geometry. Similarly, the bulk and local mechanical performance at the ribs, walls and welds is influenced by these glass-fibers and the specific processing technology (including joining) used, as related to melt-flow and melt-pool formation and glass-fiber re-orientation. The purpose of this study is to show:

• the effect of short glass-fiber orientation at the pre-welded beads, ribs and wall areas for injection molded and subsequently welded parts
• the short-term mechanical performance of welded butt-joints that have various geometry and thickness, namely “straight” and “T-type” welds.

Findings on the optimized mechanical performance of these two different types of butt-joints (“straight” and “T-type”) with respect to design and geometry, will help designers with material selection, welding, processing and design optimization of ribs, walls, etc.