SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A FULLY IMPREGNATED THERMOPLASTIC PREPREG

摘要

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepreg includes a mechanism for continuously moving a fabric or mat and a resin application component that applies a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat. The system also includes a press mechanism that presses the fabric or mat during the continuous movement subsequent to the application of the MMA resin to ensure that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the fabric or mat is continuously moved. The curing oven is maintained at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. to polymerize the MMA resin and thereby form PMMA so that upon exiting the curing oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with PMMA.

主权项

1. A system for manufacturing a fully impregnated polymethyl methacrylate prepreg in a continuous process, the system comprising:
a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat from a starting point to an ending point, the fabric or mat being subjected to a plurality of processes between the starting point and the ending point and the fabric or mat being in substantially constant movement between the starting point and ending point; a resin application mechanism that is configured to apply a methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin to the fabric or mat as the fabric or mat is moved past the resin application mechanism, the MMA resin being in contact with an initiator upon application of the MMA resin to the fabric or mat, the initiator facilitating in polymerizing the MMA resin to form polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); a press mechanism that is configured to press the MMA resin through the fabric or mat as the fabric or mat is moved past or through the press mechanism such that the MMA resin fully saturates the fabric or mat during polymerization of the MMA resin; and a curing oven having a temperature of between 40 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius, the curing oven being configured to effect polymerization of the MMA resin to form PMMA as the fabric or mat is moved through the curing oven such that the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with a thermoplastic PMMA polymer upon exiting the curing oven; wherein the system is configured to maintain the MMA resin at a temperature of between 40° C. and 80° C. prior to the application of the MMA resin to the fabric or mat.