Process for producing fiber molding for fiber-reinforced composite materials

A process for molding a fiber molding for a fiber-reinforced composite material, the fiber molding having a semi-annular portion, comprising

• a first step of pouring a slurry molding material, which comprises short fibers dispersed in a liquid, into a first mold and they applying a primary pressing force to the molding material while removing the liquid to form a primary intermediate product having a semi-annular portion, wherein direction of application of the primary pressing force is established parallel to a direction of a center line of the semi-annular portion,
• a second step of placing the primary intermediate product into a second mold with a semi-circular float fitment being fitted in a semi-circular recess defined in the semiannular portion of the primary intermediate product, and then applying a secondary pressing force t one of two opposite surfaces of the primary intermediate product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the primary pressing force, while removing the liquid and permitting the float fitment to slide on the second mold, thereby providing a secondary intermediate product, and
• a third step of placing the secondary intermediate product into a third mold with the semi-circular float fitment fitted in the semi-circular recess of the semiannular portion of the secondary intermediate product and then applying a tertiary pressing force to the other of the two opposite surfaces of the secondary intermediate product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the primary pressing force, to thereby form the fiber molding comprising the semi-annular portion.

A process for molding a fiber molding for a fiber-reinforced composite material, the fiber molding having an annular portion, comprising

• a first step of pouring a slurry molding material, which comprises short fibers dispersed in a liquid, into a first mold and they applying a primary pressing force to the molding material while removing the liquid to form a primary intermediate product having an annular portion, wherein a direction of application of the primary pressing force is established parallel to a direction of a center line of the annular portion,
• a second step of placing the primary intermediate product into a second mold with a circular float fitment being fitted in a circular recess defined in the annular portion of the primary intermediate product, and then applying a secondary pressing force to one of two opposite surfaces of the primary intermediate product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the primary pressing force, while removing the liquid and permitting the float fitment to slide at opposite ends thereof on the second mold, thereby providing a secondary intermediate product, and
• a third step of placing the secondary intermediate product into a third mold with the circular float fitment being fitted in the circular recess of the annular portion in the secondary intermediate product and then applying a tertiary pressing force to the other of the two opposite surfaces of the secondary intermediate product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the primary pressing force, to thereby form the fiber molding comprising the annular portion.