Correlation between sizing formulation and compressive behavior of concentrated glass bundle suspensions

Abstract The correlation between sizing formulation, bundle mechanical characteristics, and bundle–matrix static and dynamic interactions are investigated. Two glass‐fiber sizing formulations are considered, one containing polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and the other polyester/PVAc, as conventionally used in sheet molding compounds (SMC). Axial compression tests are conducted on dry two‐dimensional (2D) random suspensions. The forced packing is governed by the bending of fiber bundle segments between bundle‐bundle contact points. Benchmarking of the experimental curves with a modified theoretical model provides an estimation of the fiber bundle bending rigidity under forced packing conditions. This value is found to depend on the bundle sizing as well as on the interaction with solvents present in the matrix as is the case for SMC. Free flow and molding experiments are performed on planar SMC sheets using the two different fiber bundles as reinforcements. The results confirm the dependence of the molding energy and the SMC rheology on the bundles chemical and mechanical characteristics. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:370–376, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers