SHEAR CONTROLLED ORIENTATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF REINFORCING FIBERS IN MOLDED AND EXTRUDED COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

The controlled application of macroscopic shears to solidifying melts containing alignable constituents provides for the management of fibre s in, and the production of components to close tolerances. Shear cont rolled orientation technology (SCORTEC) may be applied to the thermopl astic and thermoset matrix composites, and to ceramic and metal matrix composites processed with the aid of sacrificial polymer binders. The principles of SCORTEC as applied to moulding and extrusion processes will be described, together with examples of typical property enhancem ent possible, and potential fields of application.