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US 2020/0047455 A1Published application
Fiber preform and method of making the same
AssigneeCoats Group PLC
InventorProbir Kumar Guha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fiber preform is provided for use in a resin transfer mold (RTM) process. By setting an approximate three-dimensional (3D) shape of fiber preform prior to insertion in an RTM mold, the resulting vehicle component quality and throughput are enhanced. The fusion of the stitching in the fiber preform is sufficient to retain the 3D shape of the preform needed for enhanced RTM molding.
Claims19
A fiber preform for use in a resin transfer molding process, the fiber preform comprising:
- a substrate;
- a fiber bundle comprising reinforcing fibers and optionally thermoplastic fibers, the thermoplastic fibers having a first melting temperature;
- and
- a thermoplastic thread having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the thermoplastic fibers;
- wherein the fiber bundle is arranged on the substrate and attached to the substrate by a plurality of stitches of the thermoplastic thread to form a first preform layer having a principal orientation, said thermoplastic thread melted to retain the fiber preform in a non-planar three-dimensional shape.
2 more elements
A method of forming a fiber preform for use in a resin transfer molding process, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- applying a first layer of a fiber bundle to the substrate in a predetermined pattern having a principal orientation, the fiber bundle comprising reinforcing fibers, and optionally thermoplastic fibers, wherein the thermoplastic fibers have a first melting temperature;
- stitching the first layer of the fiber bundle to the substrate using a thermoplastic thread having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature;
- building up subsequent layers of the fiber bundle from the first layer;
- and
- stitching each of the subsequent layers to a preceding layer using the thermoplastic thread.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.