摘要 |
<p>A method of forming a shaped article from a stock of preformed, thermoplastic, syntactic foam material of hollow microspheres in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, comprising heating the preformed syntactic foam to a temperature above the softening point of thermoplastic polymer matrix and applying differential pressure over at least one surface of the foam material through the medium of a plastically deformable diaphragm member to cause the foamed material to conform to a desired shape. Shaped articles of syntactic foam material, optionally having a surface coating of unfoamed, preferably fibre reinforced thermoplastics materials are provided in a more versatile and convenient manner than curing or sintering syntactic foam material in a mould.</p> |