Method for producing fibre composites from amorphous, chemically modified polymers

1. A process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material from a thermoplastic matrix M comprising at least one thermoplastic molding compound A and reinforcing fibers B, comprising the steps of:

i) providing at least one sheetlike structure F composed of reinforcing fibers B,

ii) introducing the at least one sheetlike structure F into a thermoplastic matrix M,

iii) reacting functional groups in the thermoplastic matrix M with polar groups on the surface of the reinforcing fibers B,

iv) consolidating the fiber composite material, and

v) optionally cooling and further process steps,

wherein the sheetlike structure F is selected from the group consisting of weaves, mats, nonwovens, scrims, and knits,

wherein the sheetlike structure F permeates more than 50% of the area of the fiber composite material in two of the three spatial directions, and

wherein step (iii) is conducted at a temperature of at least 200° C. wherein the residence time at temperatures of at least 200° C. is not more than 10 minutes.

2. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fiber composite material comprises

a) at least one thermoplastic molding compound as matrix M,

b) at least one sheetlike structure F composed of reinforcing fibers B, and

c) optionally at least one additive C,

in which multiple sheetlike structures F composed of reinforcing fibers B have been embedded into the matrix M and the thermoplastic molding compound A has at least one chemically reactive functionality.

3. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fiber composite material consists of:

a) 30% to 95% by weight of the thermoplastic matrix M,

b) 5% to 70% by weight of the reinforcing fibers B, and

c) 0% to 40% by weight of the additive C.

4. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic molding compound A used as matrix M is amorphous.

5. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic molding compound A is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene (glass-clear or impact-resistant), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, alpha-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, impact modified acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic ester copolymers, and blends of the copolymers mentioned with polycarbonate or polyamide.

6. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the chemically reactive functionality of the thermoplastic molding compound A is based on components selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride function, N-phenylmaleimide function, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate function.

7. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic molding compound A is produced using at least 0.1% by weight of monomers, based on component A, having a chemically reactive functionality.

8. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the reinforcing fibers B comprises one or more of the functions from the group of hydroxyl, ester, and amino groups.

9. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein component A is produced from 65% to 80% by weight of (a-methyl)styrene, 19.9% to 32% by weight of acrylonitrile, and 0.1% to 3% by weight of maleic anhydride, and wherein the sheetlike structure F is a scrim, a weave, a mat, a nonwoven, or a knit.

10. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fibers B consist of glass fibers comprising silanol groups on the surface as chemically reactive functionality.

11. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fiber composite material has a ribbed structure or a sandwich structure and a layered construction.

12. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature for production of the fiber composite material is at least 200° C.

13. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein component A is produced from

65% to 80% by weight of (α-methyl)styrene,

19.9% to 32% by weight of acrylonitrile, and

0.1% to 3% by weight of maleic anhydride,

wherein the sheetlike structure F is a scrim, a weave, a mat, a nonwoven, or a knit, and

wherein the residence time for production of the fiber composite material at temperatures of at least 200° C. is not more than 10 minutes.

14. The fiber composite material produced according to claim 1 .

15. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature for production of the fiber composite material is at least 250° C.

16. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature for production of the fiber composite material is at least 300° C.

17. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the residence time for production of the fiber composite material at temperatures of at least 200° C. is not more than 5 minutes.

18. The process for producing a thermoplastic fiber composite material as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the residence time for production of the fiber composite material at temperatures of at least 200° C. is not more than 2 minutes.

19. A molded body, a film, or a coating comprising the fiber composite material produced according to claim 1 .