| Abstract: | This paper describes a process for the manufacture of thermoplastic composites reinforced with continuous fibers and the equipment for producing such a product. The process makes it possible to expand and reconsolidate the fibers of rovings by passing them into the impregnation die filled with molten thermoplastic. The die consists of three rollers and numerous pins fixed on the roller surfaces over which the roving is drawn under tension. The material chosen to illustrate the die process is a glass-fiber reinforced nylon-6, PA6. The void content and mechanical properties were measured to investigate the influence of processing variables on properties. These process experiences indicated that poor fiber resin impregnation and fiber damage, due to harsh prepreg fabrication, result in low values for longitudinal tensile strength and impact properties. However, the composites manufactured by this technique show a significant improvement in mechanical properties over conventionally prepared thermoplastic composites. |
