Effect of Magnetic Field on the Fiber Orientation during the Filling Process in Injection Molding, Part 2: Experiments and Electrical Conductivity Measurements

Abstract

Conductive polymer composite material has been widely used in many industrial fields. Regarding fibrillar composite material, since the fiber’s orientation and distribution affect the properties of product, how the orientation and distribution are controlled is an important key to improve its properties. In this study, the external magnetic field was applied to injection molding for controlling the orientated behavior of magnetic fiber during the filling process. In addition, the fiber orientation and through-plane conductivity was investigated by means of different injection speeds with or without external magnetic field. The influence of magnetic field on the orientation of fiber was observed using the scanning electron microscope. Results from this paper are expected to provide the important references for future study of conductive polymer composite material by using magnetic-assisted injection molding.