Water assist injection moulded structural members
OwnerSteven Grgac, Hans-Joachim Ludwig +2inventors
InventorsSteven Grgac, Hans-Joachim Ludwig, Gerhard Fischer, Martin McLeod
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Abstract
A method of forming members of fiber reinforced thermoplastic members via molding, the members including at least one hollow chamber, formed by water injection into the melt in the mold, to stiffen the finished member. The thermoplastic is preferably selected from a group comprising polypropylene, Nylon, PET, ABS, TPO, and thermoplastic polyurethane, while the reinforcing fibers are preferably selected from a group comprising glass, aramid, carbon, and natural fibers. Preferably, the extruded melt is produced such that the average length of the reinforcing fibers is less than four millimeters.
Claims9
A structural member comprising;
- a rigid body formed of a fiber reinforced polymeric material having a fiber content ranging from substantially zero to seventy percent, the length of said fillers being less than four millimeters, wherein said rigid body has a modulus of flexibility ranging from 500 to 2000 kpsi;
- and a hollow interior cavity formed through at least a portion of the inside of said rigid body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.