Use of injection molding to orient short fibers in desired directions
 A method for molding short fiber/rubber composite articles having enhanced mechanical properties by aligning short reinforcing fibers during an injection molding process. The method comprises injecting a molding mixture through an injection gate arranged in a predetermined relationship to the molding cavity. The injection gate has a relatively small thickness in comparison to the thickness of the molding cavity. The fibers are associated with a first direction, generally parallel to the flow of the molding mixture as the molding mixture moves through the gate. As the molding mixture passes through the gate and into the cavity, the fiber direction is altered as the molding material fills the cavity. 
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
B
B29C
inventional
Robert Henry Ching-Chian Cheng
Vogliano Chang Shaw