CONTROLLED FIBER DISTRIBUTION TECHNIQUE FOR GLASS MATRIX COMPOSITES

A method for manufacturing a discontinuous fiber reinforced glass matrix (3) composites by injection molding using an injection nozzle (2) that separates substantially all of a multifilament yarn into individual fibers resulting in a composite (3) having greater crack resistance. The method comprises impregnating continuous filament yarn with glass matrix powders comprising glass, glass-ceramic powders or a mixture thereof. The impregnated multifilament yarn is chopped into discontinuous lengths and exposed to a temperature sufficient so that the matrix material softens. Pressure is applied to the heated impregnated multifilament yarn sufficient to displace the yarn into a mold through an injection nozzle (2) contoured such that sufficient die-wall shear forces are generated to separate substantially all of the multifilament yarn into individual filaments. A mold pressure is maintained sufficient to prevent relaxation of the composite until the strain point of the glass is reached.