Reinforced foam composite finished or semi-finished product manufacture involves thermoforming and/or hot press molding of a plastic reinforcing layer onto a foamed component based on a similar polymer

摘要

A thermoforming and/or hot pressing process is used to apply a reinforcing material (2) onto a prefabricated thermoplastic foamed material (1). The reinforcing material is based at least partly on the same polymer as the foam. The reinforcement (2) is heated and thermoformed onto the foam component (1) using vacuum and/or the foam component. Reinforcement may also be applied to the foam under pressure using a two part heated tool (3, 4), with the outer shape of the foam component. Heating of the foam component and/or reinforcing material may be effected either before or during the joining stage. Heating of materials to 60-250 degrees C may be achieved by an oven, infra-red radiation, high frequency, hot air, heated fluid or solid. Tool surfaces may be structured. An Independent claim is included for a composite material and product produced by the process.