Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A thermoformable thermoplastic composite material has a core sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. Layers of a fabric material disposed on opposite sides of the core may be formed of glass, carbon or aramid and from woven fibers, unidirectional or chopped fibers or random strand mats. The fabric layers are sufficiently thick to impart strength and rigidity to the composite material. Layers of a thermoplastic thermoformable resin material may be disposed on the fabric layers. The thermoplastic layers impregnate the fabric layers, bond the fabric layers to the core and provide a smooth external surface to the composite material. The core is preferably thinner than the combined thicknesses of the fabric layers and the thermoplastic layers. For example, the thickness of each fabric layer may be 0.008'-0.009', of each thermoplastic layer may be 0.0005'-0.002' and of the thermoplastic composite material may be 0.035'-0.060'. A thermoplastic layer of an elastomer such as urethane is bonded to one of the thermoplastic layers with a thickness of approximately 0.010'-0.020' to impart abrasion resistance and high impact strength to the thermoplastic composite material. The composite material may illustratively be disposed externally in the sole of a shoe with the elastomer facing outwardly.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim