# THERMOFORMING COMPLEX PARTS FROM UNCONSOLIDATED AND CONSOLIDATED POLYPROPYLENE/GLASS FIBRE FABRICS

> Title: THERMOFORMING COMPLEX PARTS FROM UNCONSOLIDATED AND CONSOLIDATED POLYPROPYLENE/GLASS FIBRE FABRICS Page Range: p.543-558 Author(s): Trudel-Boucher D; Fisa B; Denault J; Gagnon P File size: 414K Download the pdf (subscribers only) Buy the pdf (non-subscribers) Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites Issue Year:...

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Published: 2005-06-01T00:00:00+00:00
Categories: Polymers and Polymer Composites

**Title: THERMOFORMING COMPLEX PARTS FROM UNCONSOLIDATED AND CONSOLIDATED POLYPROPYLENE/GLASS FIBRE FABRICS**
 Page Range: p.543-558
 Author(s): Trudel-Boucher D; Fisa B; Denault J; Gagnon P
 File size: 414K
 ![](http://dload.gif) [Download the pdf](http://journals.asp?Page=111&JournalDownload=ON&JournalType=ppc&JournalIssue=ppc13-6&JournalID=100231&JIP=) (subscribers only)
 ![](http://handbuy.gif) Buy the pdf (non-subscribers)
 Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
 Issue Year: ppc
 Volume: 13
 Issue No: No. 6

**Abstract**
 Thermoforming of unconsolidated and consolidated PP/glass fibre fabrics was studied for two mould geometries: a square mould and a mould with three studs. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of direct thermoforming of unconsolidated fabrics in complex moulds, since this process offers the potential of reducing the cost of the raw material by eliminating the separate consolidation step performed prior to moulding. In this work, the unconsolidated and consolidated fabrics plies were heated in a convection oven and transferred to a press to be simultaneously conformed and re-consolidated using a rubber punch and a metal cavity. Results showed that a similar product quality (evaluated by the void content), could be obtained with unconsolidated and consolidated fabrics once conformation to the mould shape had been achieved. It was found that a minimal forming temperature of 215 degrees C was required to achieve conformation to the mould shape, and that minimal forming pressures of 2 and 3 MPa had to be applied to achieve the same objective for the consolidated and unconsolidated fabric. In addition, an increase in the punch hardness, variation of the fabric orientation, and an increase in the number of vents, was found to reduce the pressure necessary to produce conformation to the mould shape. 21 refs.

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