Method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced article
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorCarl Frederick Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced article. A first fiber reinforcing layer is impregnated with an initiator. A second fiber reinforcing layer is impregnated with a cyclic resin. The first and second reinforcing layers are brought into contact with one another. Heat is applied to the first and second reinforcing layers and causing the initiator to react with the cyclic resin. The initiator causes the ring-like structure on the cyclic resin to open. The open rings polymerize, crystallize and often cross-link with one another. The polymerization and cross-linking reaction forms a solid polymer about the first and second reinforcement layers. The polymer solidifies and forms an integral fiber reinforced article.
Claims16
A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced article comprising the steps of:
- impregnating a first fiber reinforcing layer with an initiator;
- impregnating a second fiber reinforcing layer with a molten cyclic resin;
- contacting said first and second reinforcing layers;
- heating said first and second reinforcing layers while said initiator reacts with said cyclic resin and to open the ring-like structure on said cyclic resin and to cause said open rings to polymerize and cross-link, said polymerization and cross-linking forms a pliable thermoplastic, and
- subsequent to said heating step, molding said article into a desired shape while said thermoplastic is still warm and pliable, whereby said thermoplastic impregnates and completely wets the first and second fiber reinforcing layers to form said article.
A method of manufacturing a molded fiber reinforced article comprising the steps of:
- impregnating a first pliable fiber reinforcing layer with an initiator;
- impregnating a second pliable fiber reinforcing layer with a cyclic resin;
- contacting said first and second reinforcing layers between heated rollers and causing said initiator and cyclic resin to heat to a temperature sufficient to react said initiator and said cyclic resin;
- reacting said initiator with said cyclic resin and causing the ring-like structure on said cyclic resin to open and polymerize and cross-link, said polymerization and cross-linking forming a pliable thermoplastic that completely wets said first and second fiber reinforcing layers;
- and
- subsequent to said reacting step, compressing said reacted first and second layers between two matched dies into a desired shape while said thermoplastic is still warm and pliable to form said article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.