Each claim states how it is known and cites its evidence.
EstablishedHigh-volume, non-structural thermoplastic parts.
Injection moulding is the most common high-volume process for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic parts, suited to non-structural parts such as vehicle interior components; for carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers the U.S. Department of Energy recorded it in 2015 as widely used with thermoplastic matrices but uncommon with thermosets.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence · one source
Evidence: U.S. Department of Energy 2015 · Primary authority
EstablishedShort fibres only, uncontrolled orientation, limited fibre content, costly tooling.
Injection moulding cannot control fibre orientation and distribution in the part, and melt viscosity generally limits it to short-fibre composites; the screw shortens fibres, fibre content is generally kept below about 40 mass per cent, and equipment and moulds are costly.
- precision note: The 40 mass per cent figure is an upper bound stated for natural fibre composites; it is not asserted for every fibre.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence · 2 sources, multiple sources, independence unknown
Evidence: U.S. Department of Energy 2015 · Primary authority; L. 2016 · Peer-reviewed
EstablishedFibre-filled pellets melted by a screw and injected into a metal mould.
In injection moulding of fibre-reinforced compounds, polymer pellets containing fibres are fed into a heated barrel, where a rotating screw melts the resin by shearing and then acts as a piston to force the fibre–melt mixture into a matched metal mould, in which it cools and solidifies before the part is ejected.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence · one source
Evidence: U.S. Department of Energy 2015 · Primary authority