THE NORMAL (TRANSVERSE) IMPREGNATION OF LIQUIDS INTO AXIALLY ORIENTED FIBER-BUNDLES

A model for the transverse (normal) impregnation of viscous liquids into a regular hexagonally packed fiber lattice is developed. The calculations take into account the continuous and discontinuous changes in the capillary pressure as the contact line penetrates into the fiber matrix. The rates of impregnation are calculated as a function of the liquid contact angle, viscosity, and interfacial tension, as well as the fiber radius and the fiber to fiber separation. The model predicts normal impregnation rates which are up to two orders of magnitude slower as compared with axial impregnation in the same fiber matrix. © 1990.