Patent ID: 8747585
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: B29C,B29K,B32B,C08J,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite structure comprising: placing a first layer of fibre reinforced thermoplastic material on top of a second layer of fibre reinforced thermoplastic material; providing a local heating source and locally heating a portion of at least the upper layer of thermoplastic composite material; and providing an ultrasonic transducer and locally introducing ultrasonic energy waves to the heated portion of the thermoplastic material such that ultrasonic consolidation of the fibre reinforced thermoplastic occurs, wherein the portion of fibre reinforced thermoplastic material is locally heated to a temperature within a range extending substantially from the glass transition temperature and extending to a temperature 5° C. above a temperature corresponding to a peak value of the Tan delta of the thermoplastic material.