Bi-polymer thermoplastic
OwnerJoel A. Dyksterhouseinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A braided thermoplastic ribbon is disclosed having fully impregnated filaments. The ribbon is formed by a thermoplastic prepreg having a plurality of continuous fibers that are substantially oriented in a longitudinal direction, the continuous fibers constituting from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg, a first resinous matrix that contains a first set of one or more thermoplastic polymers and within which the continuous fibers are embedded, wherein the thermoplastic polymers constitute from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg, and a second resinous matrix that contains a second set of one or more thermoplastic polymers, wherein the second set of thermoplastic polymers constitute from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg.
Claims7
A method for forming a thermoplastic prepreg, the method comprising:
- supplying continuous fibers to a first extrusion device;
- supplying a first thermoplastic feedstock to the first extrusion device, wherein the feedstock comprises a first thermoplastic polymer;
- pre-heating, tensioning, and spreading the continuous fibers;
- extruding the continuous fibers and the first feedstock within an impregnation die to form a first extrudate in which the continuous fibers are embedded with a matrix of the first thermoplastic polymer;
- twisting the first extrudate;
- supplying a second thermoplastic feedstock to a second extrusion device, wherein the second feedstock comprises a second thermoplastic polymer;
- and
- extruding the first extrudate and the second thermoplastic feedstock within an impregnation die to form a second extrudate in which the second feedstock forms a layer around the first extrudate, while the first extrudate is twisted and under tension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.