Local fracture resistance based on microstructural efficiency concept and simulation of injection molding

Local fracture resistance (FR) of short (SGF) and discontinuous long glass fibre (LGF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) was predicted using the 'microstructural efficiency concept' together with a simulation program for fibre orientation in injection molding. The 'microstructural efficiency concept' describes the relation between microstructural parameters such as the fibre content, the fibre aspect ratio and the processing (injection molding) induced layer structure taking also into account the local fibre orientation, The local fibre orientation in injection molding was predicted with the MOLDFLOW(R)-software, The predicted local FR was compared with the measured one, which was determined by using compact tension samples and linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The comparison showed, that for SGF-PP good consistence between the predicted and measured FR existed, for LGF-PP the discrepancy was higher. Yet for both materials, the 'microstructural efficiency concept' together with the results obtained from the simulation of the fibre orientation can be used for FR prediction of an injection molded workpiece.