Prepreg tape slitting apparatus and method

A method for reducing the presence of voids and/or unwetted fiber tows in continuous prepreg sheet materials comprising fibrous materials impregnated or infused with a thermosetting resin composition matrix and having a length, a width and a thickness said method comprising a) continuously conveying a continuous prepreg sheet material past or through a conductive heat source or a radiant heat source which is positioned and aligned and, during processing, adapted to continuously heat a cross-sectional length of the prepreg sheet material to a temperature at which the matrix resin i) becomes tacky and is subject to plastic deformation under minimal pressure or force or ii) becomes flowable, b) optionally, applying pressure or a force to the so heated prepreg sheet material across its width as it continuously passes by or through a pressure means, wherein the duration of the heating and, if present, application of pressure is sufficient to allow the heated resin to spread or flow, respectively, to fill the voids and/or wet the unwetted fibers.