Abstract: A method for producing a bonded magnet, comprising: (i) low-shear compounding of a thermoplastic polymer and magnetic particles to form an initial homogeneous mixture thereof; (ii) feeding the initial homogeneous mixture into a plasticator comprising a low-shear single screw rotating unidirectionally toward a die orifice and housed within a heated barrel to result in heating of the initial homogeneous mixture until the thermoplastic polymer melts and forms a further homogeneous mixture, wherein said further homogeneous mixture is transported within threads of the single screw towards the die orifice and exits the die orifice as a solid pellet; (iii) conveying the solid pellet into a mold and compression molding the pellet in the mold, to form the bonded magnet, wherein the bonded magnet possesses a magnetic particle loading of at least 80 vol % and exhibits one or more magnetic properties varying by less than 5% throughout the bonded magnet.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic nonwoven web using recycled carbon fibers employs resonant acoustic mixing to combine the recycled carbon fibers with the thermoplastic fibers, followed by carding of the fiber mixture to form the carbon-fiber reinforced nonwoven web. The method provides a low-cost way to make carbon-fiber reinforced nonwoven webs that have sufficient mechanical properties to enable widespread use in the automotive industry and other high-volume industries.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems, devices, and methods of enhancing carbon fiber dispersion in wet-laid nonwovens. A quantity of fibers is deposited in a medium, and each of one or more stirring elements is moved in a pattern to mechanically agitate the medium. In some embodiments, moving each of the one or more stirring elements includes moving the one or more stirring elements in complementary patterns to induce a chaotic advection current within the medium.

Abstract: Polymer magnet composites including NdFeB in a polycarbonate (PC) binder matrix are processed using processes including batch mixing and twin screw extrusion. One method includes adding PC to a compartment of a batch mixer and mixing the PC while the compartment is at a temperature greater than a flow temperature of the PC, to form a mixed PC material. The method also includes adding a NdFeB magnetic material to the compartment with the mixed PC material in four batches while the compartment is at the temperature greater than the flow temperature of the PC to form a mixed PC and NdFeB magnetic material, wherein each batch is mixed in the compartment for 1 to 3 minutes before the next batch is added. In addition, a total mixing time is 6 to 12 minutes, and the compartment includes an inert atmosphere. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for producing a bonded magnet, comprising: (i) low-shear compounding of a thermoplastic polymer and magnetic particles to form an initial homogeneous mixture thereof; (ii) feeding the initial homogeneous mixture into a plasticator comprising a low-shear single screw rotating unidirectionally toward a die orifice and housed within a heated barrel to result in heating of the initial homogeneous mixture until the thermoplastic polymer melts and forms a further homogeneous mixture, wherein said further homogeneous mixture is transported within threads of the single screw towards the die orifice and exits the die orifice as a solid pellet; (iii) conveying the solid pellet into a mold and compression molding the pellet in the mold, to form the bonded magnet, wherein the bonded magnet possesses a magnetic particle loading of at least 80 vol % and exhibits one or more magnetic properties varying by less than 5% throughout the bonded magnet.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems, devices, and methods of enhancing carbon fiber dispersion in wet-laid nonwovens. A quantity of fibers is deposited in a medium, and each of one or more stirring elements is moved in a pattern to mechanically agitate the medium. In some embodiments, moving each of the one or more stirring elements includes moving the one or more stirring elements in complementary patterns to induce a chaotic advection current within the medium.