Back to results
US 6,656,316 B1Granted
Method of prepregging with resin and novel prepregs produced by such method
OwnerJoel A. Dyksterhouseinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a process of forming a prepreg material having substantially no voids. According to the process of the invention, the reinforcing material is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the impregnating resin. The prepreg formed has substantially no voids and does not require lengthy consolidation when formed into useful articles.
Claims51
A process for impregnating a continuous fiber material, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a continuous feed of a continuous fiber material having a tension of at least about 0.25 pound;
- (b) heating the fiber material to a first temperature of at least about 392° F. (200° C.);
- (c) contacting said fiber material when heated with a molten resin composition at a second temperature that is less than the first temperature;
- wherein a shear force is applied to the fiber material at a time when the fiber material is in contact with the molten resin composition, to form an impregnated fiber material having substantially no voids.
1 more element
A process for impregnating a continuous fiber material, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a continuous feed of a continuous fiber material having a tension of at least about 0.25 pound;
- (b) heating the fiber material to a first temperature of at least about 392° F. (200° C.);
- (c) pulling the heated fiber material through a bath of molten resin composition and over at least one shear pin in the bath, wherein the temperature of the molten resin composition is lower than the first temperature, and further wherein the dwell time of the fiber material in the bath is less than about 10 seconds;
- wherein an impregnated fiber material having substantially no voids is formed.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.