Mixing process for generating in-situ reinforced thermoplastics

Abstract

A method for blending polymeric materials includes the steps of producing a melt stream of a first polymer from a first extruder (12) and a separate melt stream of a second polymer from a second extruder (14), joining the melt streams at a T-junction (16), distributing the first polymer within said second polymer using a static mixer (10), and extruding the blend through a die (18). In particular, using this method liquid crystal polymer fiber reinforcement can be formed in-situ within a matrix material.