Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fiber reinforced thermoplastics in sheet form in contact heating means, in which the thermoplastic is heated between bands in the space between two heating means which can be pressed against it and is at the same time held between an upper and a lower sheet-like or filament-shaped restraining means, which is respectively arranged between the thermoplastic and the band. After heating up, the thermoplastic is taken out of the heating zone together with the restraining means and bands, the bands firstly being detached from the thermoplastic, while the restraining means continue to bear against the thermoplastic, and subsequently the restraining means are detached from the thermoplastic.

Abstract: Glass matt reinforced thermoplastics suitable for the production of paintable parts, comprisinga) a thermoplastic matrix polymer of a viscosity under processing conditions corresponding to a melt flow index (MFI 230/2.16) of polypropylene of at least 250 g/10 min andb) one or more glass matts which, upon heating, bring about an expansion of the glass matt reinforced thermoplastics to at least 2.5 times the original thickness, optionally in combination withc) an addition of fine-particle, mineral fillers.