| 摘要 |
A molded article, for example, a filter or a preform used in the manufacture of fiber-reinforced composites, is manufactured from an air laid batt from a single fiber type or a mixture of fibers. The batt is either resinated with a thermoplastic material or includes a thermoplastic binder fiber. The batt is formed into the desired shape of the molded article in a through-air mold (98) and heated sufficiently to set the thermoplastic material, so that the resulting article retains the desired shape. If the article is to be used as a fluid filter, it can he used either as it is removed from the mold if a filter of uniform density is desired, or the article can be further processed in a compression mold to densify portions of the article to thereby form, for example, a fluid impervious portion used as a gasket. If the article is to be used as a preform for a structural composite, it is then to be transferred to a resin injection mold (ll0). |
