High strength continuous glass strand—polyurethane composites by the reaction injection molding process

Considerable work has been published on the subject of filling reaction injection molded (RIM) polyurethane elastomers with discontinuous particulate fillers such as milled glass fibers, flake glass and wollastonite, RIM polyurethane elastomers are filled for three reasons: (1) to increase stiffness, (2) to decrease the linear coefficient of thermal expansion, and (3) to improve thermal dimensional stability. Discontinuous particulate fillers either do not appreciably change strength properties, e.g., tensile strength or they cause dramatic reduction in strength properties, e.g., impact resistance. To overcome these deficiencies, new fillers are necessary. Once such material is continuous glass strand mat. In order to make continuous glass strand‐polyurethane composites by the RIM process, a particular balance of ingredients to produce the RIM polyurethane must be used. We will discuss the properties of these composites and suggest possible applications and future directions in which this research might proceed.