Two dimensional long‐flexible fiber orientation simulation in squeeze flow

Long‐flexible fiber orientation under the influence of a squeeze flow field is an important engineering problem. Fiber orientation models have been constructed for a short fiber in simple shear. This article uses the long fiber model previously proposed by the authors (Meirson and Hrymak, Polymer Composites, 37, 2425 (2015)). This new model accounts for flow velocity gradient along the fiber and allows the fiber to exhibit flexibility. In this study, this model is applied to solve a two‐dimensional squeeze flow case that approximates compression molding flow. It was found that unlike the simple shear flow case in the squeeze flow case the relative dimensions of the system has a great effect on fiber orientation. In addition, several rules of thumb for compression molding are proposed from the results. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4656–4665, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers