A Comparative Study of Fiber Break-up During Compounding of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide in Batch and Continuous Mixers

Glass fiber breakage during compounding was determined for both batch and continuous mixers including an internal mixer and two different co-rotating twin screw extruders; of laboratory and industrial scales. The effect of processing conditions such as screw speed, feed rate and screw profiles on fiber damage was investigated. Finally, the results of experimental studies were discussed, compared and interpreted using a model for fiber breakage.