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Abstract Styrene and acrylonitrile monomers are polymerized in an aqueous suspension system in the presence of chopped glass strands. Under certain conditions, in the course of SAN polymerization, it is possible to align the glass strands in a parallel array (collimate) to form capsules varying in shape from tapes to cylinders. The parallel stacking of glass strands within the capsules allows for high glass loadings and results in glass microfibers completely wetted and imbedded in the polymeric matrix. The mechanism of encapsulation and collimation is discussed and is shown to be critically affected by several factors, the most important being: the preferential wetting of the strands by the monomers, the nature of the glass surface, the monomer composition, the type and concentration of protective colloid used in the suspension polymerization, and the type and intensity of agitation. The fiber glass composites obtained by encapsulation are found to have mechanical properties superior to those obtainable by conventional commercial routes.
Massimo Baer (Thu,) studied this question.