Long fiber reinforced thermoplastics LFRTs

Fig. 5. Twintex (Vetrotex) long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFRT) fabric—made by commingling woven fiber glass with polypropylene fibers—is preformed for manufacture of automotive bumper beams. Courtesy of Plastic Omnium, Paris.

Compounding of long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRTs) is very different from compounding short fiber or particle filled composites. Long fibers enhance properties such as impact strength and are finding great utility in a number of applications in the automotive, industrial, and sports markets. Most of these products use PP or polyamide (PA), but poly(ethylene tere-phthalate) (PET) and other resins are also used. 

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