Patent ID: 6872343
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A pultrusion process for preparing a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite article by continuously pulling the fibers through a process comprising the steps of: a) drawing a fiber bundle continuously through a melt obtained by heating a thermoplastic resin; b) impregnating the drawn fiber bundle with the melted thermoplastic resin to form a composite melt; c) drawing the composite melt through a consolidation die to form a thermoformable composite profile; d) thermoforming the composite profile on-line to form along the length of the article: 1) a curve formed by hauling off one side of said composite profile at a faster rate than another side; 2) a twist; or 3) a varied cross-sectional shape; and e) cooling the shaped composite article to solidify the thermoplastic resin and provide an article that is curved, twisted or provided with a varied cross-sectional shape along its length.