Composites of thermoplastic and thermoplastic polymers having therein short fibers derived from anisotropic polymers

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One aspect of this invention relates to mixtures of short fibers derived from anisotropic polymers, said mixture comprising short fibers having average lengths in the range of from about 0.
05 cm and about 5 cm, wherein the length distribution of said fibers in said mixture is from about X.
+-.
0.
1 X to about X.
+-.
X wherein X is the average length of said fibers in said mixture, said fibers having average diameters in the range of from about 0.
0005 cm to about 0.
05 cm wherein the diameter distribution of said fibers in said mixture is equal to or less than about Y.
+-.
Y wherein Y is the average diameter of the fibers, and said fibers having an average aspect ratio equal to or greater than about 3.
Another aspect of this invention relates to a process for the manufacture of the mixture of said fibers.
Yet another aspect of this invention relates to thermoplastic and thermoset composites comprising the mixture of fibers of this invention dispersed in a continuous phase comprised of one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset and thermoplastic resins.
Several advantages result from the mixture of this invention especially when used as reinforcement and the like in polymer blends.
For example, one advantage is that the mixture of this invention results in a more uniform and homogeneous distribution of the short fibers in the blend as compared to the distribution of mixtures of fibers of more uniform length distribution.
Moreover, the fibrous mixture of this invention provides blends having decreased melt or solution viscosities which result in improved processability of the blended product.
Furthermore, the mixture of this invention provides a blended product having better particle packing.