Patent ID: 6106752
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method for producing a fiber reinforced composite article (40) by injecting a molding compound into a mold cavity (20) of a mold assembly (10), said molding compound (30) comprising elastomeric material and reinforcing fibers, said fibers having a length from 0.1 microns to 10.sup.3 microns, the method being characterized by the steps of:directing a portion of said molding compound through an inlet gate (24), said inlet gate having an associated length l.sub.1, width w.sub.1, and thickness t.sub.1, and such that a majority of said reinforcing fibers contained in said portion are oriented parallel to a direction of flow in said inlet gate; anddirecting said portion from said inlet gate into a region of said mold cavity, said region of said mold cavity having a thickness T.sub.1 parallel to t.sub.1, wherein T.sub.1 is greater than or equal to 10t.sub.1, said portion of said molding compound forming a series of folding planes (35) perpendicular to the direction of flow in said region, and wherein said majority of said reinforcing fibers are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow in said fiber reinforced composite article.