Provided are resin particles including columnar resin particles each including filaments of a fibrous material, wherein the filaments of the fibrous material are aligned in an axial direction of each of the columnar resin particles.

Provided are resin particles including columnar resin particles each including filaments of a fibrous material, wherein the filaments of the fibrous material are aligned in an axial direction of each of the columnar resin particles.

Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a functionally graded polymer material. The methods comprise preparing a melted polymer mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a magnetic filler dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer, molding the melted polymer mixture and applying a magnetic field to a portion of the melted polymer mixture to form a functionally graded polymer material. The resulting functionally graded polymer material has a magnetic filler gradient formed through a thickness of the material.

Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a functionally graded polymer material. The methods comprise preparing a melted polymer mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a magnetic filler dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer, molding the melted polymer mixture and applying a magnetic field to a portion of the melted polymer mixture to form a functionally graded polymer material. The resulting functionally graded polymer material has a magnetic filler gradient formed through a thickness of the material.

Chopped fiber composite systems and methods are disclosed. Sorting systems include a conveyor, an imager, a plurality of receptacles, a pneumatic device, and controller. Molding systems include a conveyor, an imager, a mold, a pneumatic device, and a controller. The controller directs the pneumatic device to alter the freefall of chopped fiber composite pieces based on characteristics of the chopped fiber composite pieces as they drop from the conveyor and into a receptacle or a mold. Sorting and molding methods include dropping chopped fiber composite pieces, detecting characteristics of the dropping pieces, and directing the pieces based on the detected characteristics.

Chopped fiber composite systems and methods are disclosed. Sorting systems include a conveyor, an imager, a plurality of receptacles, a pneumatic device, and controller. Molding systems include a conveyor, an imager, a mold, a pneumatic device, and a controller. The controller directs the pneumatic device to alter the freefall of chopped fiber composite pieces based on characteristics of the chopped fiber composite pieces as they drop from the conveyor and into a receptacle or a mold. Sorting and molding methods include dropping chopped fiber composite pieces, detecting characteristics of the dropping pieces, and directing the pieces based on the detected characteristics.

An elastomer molded body for a medical device includes an elastomer portion and a filler. The elastomer portion contains a crosslinked fluorine-based elastomer. The filler is formed from a plurality of particles each of which has aspect ratio of 5 or more and specific surface area of 3 m.sup.2/g or more and 10 m.sup.2/g or less. The aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of a dimension in a long axis direction thereof to a dimension in a short axis direction thereof. The filler has an uneven distribution in a surface layer part of the elastomer portion and is oriented in a direction along a surface of the elastomer molded body.

The invention relates to a printed article and a feedstock for printing comprising a matrix forming material, in particular a polymeric material, and a filler material dispersed within the matrix forming material, in which the filler material comprises glass flakes. Glass flakes are characterised as having an aspect ratio of average diameter divided by average thickness greater than or equal to three. Selecting aspect ratio of glass flakes controls an orientation of glass flakes angled relative to a printed layer and formation of a depletion layer in a printed article. Technical effects of angled flakes include better adhesion between successive printed layers in 3D printing and a crack-stopping function. In a preferred embodiment the glass flakes comprise a conductive coating such that a printed article functions as a moisture sensor. Technical effects of a depletion layer include high moisture permeability and so a fast rate of change in electrical resistance due to moisture. A process of manufacturing a feedstock and a process of printing comprising a step of providing glass flakes are also disclosed.

A composite article including a plurality of layers each comprising bundles of fibers separated by spaces; pins bonded to a side of at least one of bundles and extending or built through the spaces between the layers; and a resin combined with the layers and the pin. The pins form a physical barrier preventing or reducing propagation of cracks in an x-y plane of the composite article.

A single-cavity multi-runner applied to oriented arrangement extrusion molding equipment of graphene fibers includes a first extrusion cavity, the first extrusion cavity includes a first inlet and a first outlet arranged opposite to each other; a first molding cavity, the first molding cavity is arranged in an inclined manner, a second inlet is arranged at the high position end, a second outlet is arranged at the low position end of the first molding cavity, and the second inlet is connected to the first outlet; flow channels, the flow channels are formed by dividing the first molding cavity using baffle plates arranged horizontally and along the flowing direction of a heat-conducting mixture; a second molding cavity, the second molding cavity includes a third inlet and a third outlet arranged opposite to each other, the third inlet is connected to the outflow end of the flow channels.