초록 ▼

The method of the present invention produces a tape of high performance reinforcing fibers having improved alignment between the fibers and improved maintenance of that alignment in processing and molding applications. The method involves contacting one or more of the continuous high performance rei

The method of the present invention produces a tape of high performance reinforcing fibers having improved alignment between the fibers and improved maintenance of that alignment in processing and molding applications. The method involves contacting one or more of the continuous high performance reinforcing fibers with a polymer impregnated mat. The polymer is compatible with any polymeric material used in the subsequent processing or molding applications. The contacting is performed with the high performance fibers under tension, and the tension is removed when the fibers are properly aligned into a tape in contact with the impregnated mat. The tape material can be used with various molding compounds such as sheet molding compounds and high reinforcement content molding compounds and thermoplastic molding materials wherein the molding compound is contacted with the tape product. The contacting can be performed during formation of the molding compound or the tape material can be applied to an already formed molding compound during compression molding.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of producing a tape of aligned continuous high performance reinforcing fiber, comprising: preparing a fiberous mat having a thickness in the range of about 0.01 to about 0.05 inch impregnated with an effective amount of a matrix compatible polymer, coating one or more continuous high perfor

A method of producing a tape of aligned continuous high performance reinforcing fiber, comprising: preparing a fiberous mat having a thickness in the range of about 0.01 to about 0.05 inch impregnated with an effective amount of a matrix compatible polymer, coating one or more continuous high performance reinforcing fibers over a substantial portion of their surface with a matrix compatible polymer to thoroughly wet the fibers, contacting the one or more coated continuous reinforcing high performance fibers under tension in the form of one or more layers, wherein the fibers are in a unidirectional orientation in each layer, with the impregnated mat to form a tape, and releasing the tension of the tape. An improved high performance continuous reinforcing fiberous tape product, which maintains substantially the alignment of the high performance fiberous reinforcement in the tape during molding, comprising: a layer of fiberous mat having a thickness in the range of about 0.01 to about 0.05 inch, a matrix compatible polymer impregnating the fiberous mat, and more than one length of continuous high performance reinforcing fibers coated over a substantial portion of their surfaces with a matrix compatible polymer to thoroughly wet the fibers, where the fibers form one or more layers in which the fibers have a unidirectional orientation in each layer and where the fibers contact the fiberous mat. Method of producing a molded article with increased physical properties at desired locations in the article, comprising: (a) placing in a compression mold a molding compound selected from sheet molding compound, high reinforcement content sheet molding compound, bulk molding compound, thick molding compound, filament wound molding compound or mixture thereof, or heated thermoplastic molding compounds, (b) placing in the mold with the molding compound one or more segments of a tape of aligned high performance reinforcing fibers having attached to the fibers a fiberous mat which is impregnated with a matrix compatible polymer, (c) arranging the segments of tape to be at the locations in the molding article, where the higher physical properties are desired, and (d) activating the compression molding device to close to mold the article, (e) activating the compression molding device to open, and (f) recovering the molded article having high performance fiber reinforcement that is substantially aligned as the tape was placed in the mold at the desired location.