Process for manufacturing of a fibre-reinforced polymer composition
Process for producing a fibre-reinforced polymer composition comprising the following steps: a) providing a polymer composition, b) melting the polymer composition in a compounding device, c) feeding a non-woven fabric into the compounding device in the presence of the molten polymer composition, and d) withdrawing the fibre-reinforced polymer composition from the compounding device. Furthermore, the product obtained by the process and the use of a non-woven fabric in an extruder to reinforce a polymer with fibres are disclosed.
1. A process for producing a fibre-reinforced polymer composition comprising the following steps:
a) providing a polymer composition (A);
b) melting the polymer composition (A) in a compounding device;
c) feeding a non-woven fabric into the compounding device in the presence of the molten polymer composition (A), wherein the non-woven fabric comprises at least 75 wt. % carbon fibres based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric; and
d) withdrawing the fibre-reinforced polymer composition from the compounding device.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the compounding device is an extruder.
3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fabric is fed into the compounding device through a side feed port.
4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fabric further comprises glass reinforcing fibres.
5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fabric is in the form of a stripe.
6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the stripe has a width of 10 to 300 mm.
7. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the stripe has a length of at least 50 cm.
8. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the average weight of the non-woven fabric is within the range of 100 to 1000 g/m 2 .
9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition (A) comprises a polyolefin.
10. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the content of the polyolefin is at least 50 wt. % based on the polymer composition (A).
11. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the polymer composition (A) comprises a polypropylene.
12. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a compatibilizer is added prior to step c).
13. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the non-woven fabric is obtained by needle-punching.