Patent ID: 6517654
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
A process for the production of a fiber-reinforced composite material in an impregnation device, which, in order to form a filament band, comprises:pulling a multiplicity of continuous filaments having single-filament diameters of 7 to 30 micrometers, which are arranged in parallel and tensioned, over heated spreader surfaces including a first spreader surface, the spreader surfaces and the filament band defining nips, wherein the filament band upon entering the first spreader surface has a tension of from 5 N to 50 N per 4000 single filaments and a speed of at least 3 m/min, said tension and speed achieved by pulling the filament band, feeding a thermoplastic polymer melt, having a viscosity of 105 to 2500 PaÂ·s, measured at a low shearing rate, through a feed opening in the device, wherein the feed opening for the melt is not in contact with the continuous filaments, dragging the melt into the nips with the pulled filament band, which is brought into contact with the melt prior to the contact with the first spreader surface, wherein the tension and the speed of the band press melt through the band, thus effectively impregnating the filament band, and then cooling the band to provide a solidifying melt impregnated filament band with a content of continuous filaments of from 5 to 70% by volume.