Primary Manufacturing of Thermoplastic Polymer Matrix Composites

The fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites have numerous advantages over thermoset composites due to their exclusive properties such as higher fracture toughness, unlimited self-life and easily recyclable. The manufacturing processes that are available for thermoset composites can be selectively adapted for thermoplastic composites. However, the primary manufacturing of thermoplastic composites is not very conducive as processing of thermoplastic composites requires heavy and strong tooling. In addition, sophisticated equipment is required to apply heat and pressure during processing of thermoplastic composites. A few cost-effective techniques have been developed for manufacturing of thermoplastic composites in order to obtain high-quality and high-definition products. In this chapter, the primary manufacturing processes (tape winding, pultrusion, compression moulding, injection moulding, autoclave processing, diaphragm forming and hot pressing) for thermoplastic composites have been comprehensively discussed. The basic processing steps, methods of applying heat and pressure, suitable raw materials, advantages and disadvantages of the processes have also been adequately discussed in context of thermoplastic composites.