Method of forming reinforced thermoplastics composites.

摘要

A method of forming a shaped article from a sheet of fibre reinforced thermoplastic in which the fibres are present as superimposed layers of continuous, optionally woven, aligned fibres comprising placing a sheet, which has been heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of the thermoplastic of the sheet, on a tool and biassing the softened sheet towards the contours of the tool by biassing means which progressively urge the softened sheet from the area of the sheet contacting the tool towards the extremities of the sheet to conform the sheet with the shape of the tool. The method provides a means of shaping reinforced sheet containing continuous inextensible fibres in a manner which reduces buckling of the fibres.