Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which include the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which includes the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.

Abstract: The invention comprises reinforced composite structural members which are formed by bonding reinforcing sections to predetermined areas on the outside surface of a hollow profile formed from a thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite material, where the predetermined areas are located substantially away from the center of mass of the composite profile. The reinforcing sections have a higher modulus than the composite material used to form the hollow profile. The invention also comprises processes for forming these reinforced composite structural members.

Abstract: A hollow flanged joist comprises a center web section and top and bottom flange sections containing hollow channels. The center web section has two parallel vertical webs and at least one horizontal web extending perpendicularly between the vertical webs. The top and bottom flange sections each extend outwardly and perpendicularly from each end of the center web section and consist of a horizontal end web, two vertical side webs extending inwardly from the far ends of the end web, two horizontal inner webs extending between the inner ends of the side webs and center vertical webs, and, optionally, a number of vertical support webs extending between the end web and the outermost center horizontal web or the inner webs. Preferably, the hollow flanged joist is made from moisture resistant materials and is dimensioned comparably to wooden joists.

Abstract: The invention comprises reinforced composite structural members which are formed by bonding reinforcing sections to predetermined areas on the outside surface of a hollow profile formed from a thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite material, where the predetermined areas are located substantially away from the center of mass of the composite profile. The reinforcing sections have a higher modulus than the composite material used to form the hollow profile. The invention also comprises processes for forming these reinforced composite structural members.

Abstract: A hollow flanged joist comprises a center web section and top and bottom flange sections containing hollow channels. The center web section has two parallel vertical webs and at least one horizontal web extending perpendicularly between the vertical webs. The top and bottom flange sections each extend outwardly and perpendicularly from each end of the center web section and consist of a horizontal end web, two vertical side webs extending inwardly from the far ends of the end web, two horizontal inner webs extending between the inner ends of the side webs and center vertical webs, and, optionally, a number of vertical support webs extending between the end web and the outermost center horizontal web or the inner webs. Preferably, the hollow flanged joist is made from moisture resistant materials and is dimensioned comparably to wooden joists.

Abstract: A protective joist cover is adapted to cover a joist. The joist cover includes a top section and a bottom section. The top section has a top end web and a pair of substantially parallel top side webs each extending from an end of the top end web. The top side webs are substantially perpendicular to the top end web. The bottom section has a bottom end web and a pair of substantially parallel bottom sides webs each extending from an end of the bottom end web. The bottom side webs are substantially perpendicular to the bottom end web. The pair of top side webs and the pair of bottom side webs are dimensioned such that they overlap when positioned over the joist. The protective joist cover is made of a thermoplastic material.