Abstract: Fibrous network structures are produced within liquid polymer resins by passing the fiber-containing resin along a channel having a plurality of sets of flow modifying elements which establish a regulated succession of velocity profiles for the principal flow direction and the two directions perpendicular thereto. The individual velocity profiles persist over distances which are small compared to the channel dimension over which they are established and are such that there is substantially no net deviation from the principal flow direction. The velocity profiles superimpose on each other to cause rotation and sliding of the fibers so that a coherent network structure is built up which persists through extrusion dies and molds into the solid state. By means of a large number of touches per fiber the structures thereby established confer efficient mechanical reinforcing properties and enhanced thermal properties on the polymer composition.

Abstract: A method of separating filaments from a clump thereof in a liquid flow from each other by sub-dividing the flow across its lateral extent to pass through an array of a plurality of filament separating channels having a cross-section at least large enough to accommodate the cross-section of the clumps such that flow along the channels imparts a shearing force to filaments at the edge of the flow in the channel to separate these axially from each other and from filaments at the center of the clump.