Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and apparatus for making continuous lengths of thermoplastics material fibers reinforced laminates by arranging layers of fibers reinforcement impregnated with a thermoplastics material in alignment with and between outer sheets of another material to form a stack and passing the stack through a tool having two opposing platens, one of which is movable relative to the other, and operating the tool so as to compress the stack and form a laminate. The stack is passed from entry to exit of the tool in steps, the extent of each of which is substantially less than the length of the tool such that each area of the stack is subjected to repeated compressions by the tool is passing therethrough. A recess is formed in one platen, which is adapted to receive a land formed on the other platen. The platens are differentially heated and/or cooled such that the temperature of the high temperature thermoplastics material impregnating the fibers of the stack is first raised to at least the melt temperature of the thermoplastic material, maintained for a time at that temperature and is then allowed to fall below that temperature. The faces of the platens are profiled such that the spacing between the opposing faces decreases along at least part of the length of the recess.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim