A review of orientation characterization in short fibre-reinforced mould filling processes

The existing models for the characterization and prediction of orientation field in short fibre–reinforced mould filling processes are investigated. First, the basics of flow kinematics during the filling stage of injection moulding are reviewed. In particular, commonly used Hele–Shaw flow equations and the effects of advancing fluid front are described. Second, techniques to characterize orientation state and models for solving fibre orientation are presented. The three distinct concentration regimes of fibre suspensions and the necessity of using anisotropic constitutive models during mould filling simulations are discussed. Finally, a few recent examples are included which depict the numerically predicted orientation field during mould filling.