Process Hot pressing, composites
Process used for shaping fibre reinforced thermoplastics. The material, usually a woven mat, is a mixture of plastic fibres and reinforcement fibres. When heated, plastic fibres melt and spread through the reinforcement.

The mat is cut into dimension, and piled up until the desired laminate thickness is achieved. The laminate is then evacuated and placed in a mould where it is heated (380-400 C), and pressed into shape.

For setting the shape, pressure (0.3-1 MPa) is maintained for about 5 minute.
The part is cooled and removed from the mould.
Danish Name Varmpresning
Category Mass conserving processes, Shaping plastics
Materials Fibre reinforced thermoplastics:
Carbon reinforced PEEK
Carbon reinforced PA
Glass reinforced PP
Typical products Car door
References Risų, Department of Material Research
Additional info The process has a short cycle time per part, thanks to the easy manufacturability of thermoplastic materials.
Photo Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
Copyright © 1996-2019 Torben Lenau
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