摘要 |
A method and apparatus for forming at least one external annular flange (48 or 49) adjacent one end of a fibre reinforced thermoplastic tube (10) in which the tube (10) is mounted on a mandrel (12) and a first end portion of the tube is clamped in a collar (13) having at least one internal annular cavity (18 or 19) for forming a flange, a second end portion of the tube in the region (R1, R2) of the cavity is heated to soften the thermoplastic, and an axial load (L) is applied to the end of the tube by a piston (24) causing the softened tube to flow into the cavity (18, 19) in the collar (13) to form a flange on the tube. |