Pultrusion of thermoplastic composites - process optimization and mathematical modeling

Abstract

Polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) powder-impregnated and sheath-surrounded glass fiber bundles (GF/PBT) have been pultruded to a profile with a cross section of 3.5×10 mm2. The aim was to study separately the influence of various processing parameters on the properties of pultruded beams, in particular, the effects of the temperature within the preheating zone, temperature and pressure profile within the heated forming die, cooling conditions, and pulling speed. The quality of the pultruded specimens was determined by measurements of the density, the dynamic flexural modulus, and the shear strength. Finally, an impregnation model was developed, which helped to design an optimum processing window.