Process for the preparation of thermoplastic sandwich structures

• Main Author: FELL; BARRY M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 31.05.1994
• Edition: 5
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULARARTICLES; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Rapid production of thermoplastic sandwich structures containing fiber-reinforced or non-reinforced thermoplastic core, such as honeycomb, materials adhered to skins or facing sheets is accomplished by fusion bonding the skins or facing sheets to the core by means of thermoplastic film(s) heated to the melt temperature and applying sufficient pressure to fusion bond the skins or facing sheets to the core, followed, when necessary, by cooling the assembly to prevent overheating of the core and/or skins or facing sheets.