Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to laminated polymer composite material comprising, a base structural member having at least one major surface and an overlay layer of polymer linked, e.g by fusion bonding, to at least a portion of said at least one major surface of the structural member, wherein the polymer is any polymer which can be thermally activated to obtain chemical and/or physical links with the structural member, and to a process and apparatus for making same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding thermoformable sheet material is set forth. The method includes the steps of providing a conventional stamp type mold, one section of which provides a compliant mold member which is augmented by diaphragm. The diaphragm coacts with the compliant member during a molding phase to ensure dimensional uniformity in the molded article. Further, tight or detailed areas are easily molded by making use of the compliant and diaphragm members. In a further embodiment, tension adjusting is achieved during molding by a series of discrete tension members. The tension members cooperate with the compliant and diaphragm members to significantly improve dimensional uniformity and prevent wrinkling in the molded article.