COMPOSITE MOLDED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING A COMPOSITE MOLDED ARTICLE

摘要

The invention relates to composite molded articles having a smooth, attractive thermoplastic surface. The invention also relates to a method having improved efficiency and reduced emission of hazardous air pollutants for making composite molded articles comprising a composite fiber reinforcement, thermosetting resin material having a thermoplastic exterior layer. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing in a spaced apart relationship a first mold half comprising a first shaped ,mold membrane (5) and a second mold half (3) comprising a second shaped mold membrane (7) wherein the first and second shaped mold membranes define a mold plenum when brought together to mold articles; (b) placing a thermoplastic sheet (25) in the mold plenum wherein the shape of the thermoplastic sheet substantially conforms to the shape of the mold membrane; (c) placing reinforcement material (33) in the mold plenum; (d) closing the first and second mold halves such that the thermoplastic sheet.