METHOD FOR INTERNAL PRESSURE MOLDING OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE

摘要

PURPOSE:To mold a molded product having a smooth surface by a method wherein the cloth-like article obtained from blended fiber yarn consisting of a thermoplastic fiber and a reinforcing fiber is set to an open mold and heated to the temp. melting the thermoplastic fiber while internal pressure is applied to the mold. CONSTITUTION:A cloth-like article 4 constituted of blended fiber yarn consisting a reinforcing fiber such as a carbon fiber, a glass fiber or an aramid fiber and a thermoplastic fiber composed of polypropylene or nylon is set to a tubular open mold 1 and pressed to the inner surface 2 of the mold 1 by the air pressure applied through a membrane like body 3 while heated by a heater 6. As the membrane like body 3, for example, a heat-resistant silicone rubber tube is used. By heating the cloth-like article to the melting temp. of the thermoplastic fiber and pressing the same under relatively low pressure, for example, under pressure of 5 atm, a tubular molded body having a smooth surface is obtained.