Method and device for manufacturing a thermoplastic sandwich structure comprising a thermoplastic foam layer and fiber-reinforced thermoplastic cover layers

摘要

Of a sandwich structure 10 comprising at least one foam layer (12; 12a, 12b) of a first thermoplastic plastic comprising a chemical blowing agent and two fiber-reinforced coating layers (20, 22) of a second thermoplastic plastic. Manufacturing method and apparatus 100. The decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent is higher than the melting temperature or range of the first thermoplastic plastic. The method comprises a series of steps performed on the starting structure 40, including heating, cooling, foaming under pressure to cause decomposition of the blowing agent and further cooling in contact with the press tools.