Royal Military College of Canada

Materials Science & Engineering

Processing continuously reinforced thermoplastics

By: Dr. Philip J. Bates

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The current research in the processing of continuously reinforced thermoplastics involves a new composite material called Twintex (R). Twintex consists of glass and thermoplastic (PP usually) monofilaments commingled to form an unconsolidated composite roving. The unconsolidated commingled roving can be woven to form a mat or fabric. Consolidation involves the application of heat and pressure to melt the polymer monofilaments and force them to flow to form a continuous polymer matrix around the glass reinforcement.

Our current work studies the consolidation of Twintex in strand and woven strand form using a laboratory-scale equipment. The work is performed in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at RMC.