Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of oriented chopped glass fiber mats from non-conductive fiber feed stock is disclosed. Apparatus includes means for increasing the conductance of the feed stock, electrically insulative transfer surface; means for establishing and maintaining a directional electric field to orient the chopped fibers, and a mat receiving surface to receive the oriented mat. The non-woven mat comprises a plurality of cut or chopped fibers having their longitudinal axes predominately disposed approximately parallel to a predetermined orientation axis lying in the plane of the mat. A preferred embodiment includes the incorporation of a glass fiber mat into a composite by applying a matrix resin to the mat in sufficient quantity to ensure the integrity of the composite. The process for manufacturing said non-woven oriented mats is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine direction and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through spaced charged plates of a high-voltage electrostatic field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for (1) forming a mat of lignocellulosic particles electrostatically aligned in a cross-machine direction to the direction of movement of the mat being formed from the particles, and (2) forming a composite panel having a core layer of particles electrostatically aligned in the cross-machine dimension and face layers of particles electrostatically aligned in the machine direction. The multilayered or composite mat of electrostatically aligned particles employs separate orientation cells (30,32) for aligning the particles in the machine and cross-machine directions. For aligning the particles in the cross-machine direction, a uniformly distributed array of particles is passed through a high-voltage electrostatic orienting field having electrical lines of force extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the mat being formed. The orienting field may be formed between at least two uniformly spaced, electrically charged plates (60).