Abstract
Four molding compositions using glass flake as reinforcement were selected for study by means of a series of screening tests. The physical, electrical and mechanical properties of the compositions after compression molding into flat laminates were determined. Simple geometric shapes such as a hemisphere were compression molded from these compositions. The properties of the simple shapes were compared to the properties of the flat laminates. Movement of the resin-flake mixture in the molds resulted in very poor alignment of the flakes within the molding resulting in significantl reduced mechanical properties. It was concluded that this problem is inherent to presently available glass flake reinforced molding compounds and will prohibit the satisfactory compression molding of everything but extremely simple shapes such as flat plates using available molding compounds and molding techniques.