Pultrusion Processes for Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

Composite materials pultrusion has recently incorporated thermoplastics as a matrix candidate due to their high performance properties compared to thermosetting matrix resins. Most of the recent work on pultrusion has concentrated on thermosetting matrices and the effects of resin cure on heat transfer, resin pressure, and pull force. By using these previous studies as guides, the analysis of thermoplastic pultrusion will be treated. The major areas of concentration are (1) methods of material impregnation, (2) preheating effects, and (3) die configuration for sufficient compaction and resin flow.