SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING THERMOPLASTIC-COMPOSITE TUBING

摘要

A system and method for forming thermoplastic-carbon fiber composite tubing is described. A non-continuous thermoplastic-carbon fiber composite sleeve capable of being formed into a tubular product, a method for forming a tubular product, and a tubular product fabricated from thermoplastic-carbon fiber composite is described. The sleeve may include at least one non-continuous thermoplastic fiber strand that may be interwoven with at least one carbon fiber. The method may include the steps of weaving the material into at least one sleeve to be processed, positioning a bladder within the sleeve to create a work piece, and placing the work piece in a mold. The mold may be heated and the bladder may be pressurized to form a tubular product. The resulting tubular product may be fabricated from thermoplastic carbon fiber composite with improved physical properties.