Processing of Plastics Composites

Manufacturing techniques of plastic composites can be divided into two parts processing of thermoplastics and thermosetting composites. There are certainly similarities between the processing of plastics (outlined in the previous section) and plastics composites, as well as between the processing of thermoplastics and thermosetting composites. For this reason, and to avoid duplication, whenever a different technique is involved for any one of them, it will be noted. 

And since most of the plastic composites used in construction are of fibre reinforced thermosets, these will be emphasised in discussions. 

1 Processing of (Fibre Reinforced) Thermoset Piastic Composites 

In composite processing, the fibres and the resin mixture (with catalyst, etc.), is pressed first into the required shape and size (in the mould), then the system is left to cure to become permanently hardened. 

Fibre reinforced (FR) thermoset plastic composites can be processed in the following different ways, depending on differences in the processing  

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