Development of In Situ Polymerized Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Continuous Long Fibers

PROJECT COST:

687 361 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

137 361 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Thermoplastic resins are widely used; however, their application in structural components remains limited because continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are particularly difficult to form. Recent thermoplastic materials developed by BASF (nylon-based systems) and Arkema (acrylic-based systems), which can be polymerized in situ, enable the manufacture of structurally reinforced parts using liquid resins and continuous fiber reinforcements.

These innovative materials are expected to unlock new opportunities by improving both impact resistance and low-temperature performance. The objective of this project is to determine the optimal processing and forming conditions for the manufacture of transportation components and sports equipment.

The project will also focus on the development of surface finishes that facilitate the recycling of end-of-life materials. In addition, new joining and thermoforming processes will be developed and optimized. These processes must be adapted to the new matrix systems, as well as to the continuous reinforcement architectures used in the production of high-performance structural composites that have traditionally relied on thermosetting matrices.