Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material (K), containing a thermoplastic polymer matrix and at least one natural-fiber component, is technically advantageous if it contains at least 45% (v/v) of a styrene (co)polymer (A) as polymer matrix, 30-55% (v/v) of a natural-fiber sheet material (B) as natural-fiber component, optionally 0-10% (v/v) of an additional polymer component (C), and optionally 0-10% of at least one additive (D), the volume percentages of components (A) to (D) adding up to 100 volume percent of the composite material (K).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a fiber-reinforced composite material (organosheet) containing at least one thermoplastic molding compound, at least one continuous reinforcing fiber layer and at least one inorganic filler material. According to the invention, at least one sheet material consisting of continuous reinforcing fibers is embedded in a matrix composition comprising at least one thermoplastic molding compound, the thermoplastic molding compound including at least one thermoplastic polymer and optionally at least one polarity-functionalized polymer that contains repeat units of at least one functional monomer. The invention also relates to the composite materials produced according to the claimed method.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material (K), containing a thermoplastic polymer matrix and at least one natural-fiber component, is technically advantageous if it contains at least 45% (v/v) of a styrene (co)polymer (A) as polymer matrix, 30-55% (v/v) of a natural-fiber sheet material (B) as natural-fiber component, optionally 0-10% (v/v) of an additional polymer component (C), and optionally 0-10% of at least one additive (D), the volume percentages of components (A) to (D) adding up to 100 volume percent of the composite material (K).

Abstract: The invention relates to composite materials (organosheets) containing a thermoplastic molding compound, at least one continuous reinforcing fiber layer and at least one inorganic filler material. According to the invention, a sheet material consisting of continuous reinforcing fibers in a matrix composition comprising the molding compound is used, the thermoplastic molding compound containing at least one polyolefin, and optionally at least one further, polarity-functionalized polymer. The invention also relates to a process for produci2023ng the claimed composite material and to uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a foam molded part, wherein a foamable material S comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix M and at least one foaming agent F is foamed by foam injection molding. The polymer matrix M is preferably based on at least one thermoplastic styrene copolymer, such as ABS and ASA, and wherein the at least one foaming agent F is selected from chemical foaming agents, releasing carbon dioxide, and physical foaming agents, being carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fibre-reinforced composite (K) comprising: (A) ?50 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the fibre-reinforced composite (K), of at least one continuous fibrous reinforcement material; and (B) <50 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the fibre-reinforced composite (K), of at least one substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition; wherein the at least one substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition (B) comprises >0 and ?3 wt.-%, derived from monomer moieties which are appropriate to interact with the surface of the fibrous reinforcement material (A), in particular of repeating units derived from maleic acid anhydride or maleic acid, and wherein less than 10% of the number of the reinforcement fibres present at a fracture surface of the fibre-reinforced composite (K) protrude from the fracture surface with a length of more than 5 times the diameter of the fibre.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a foam molded part, wherein a foamable material S comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix M and at least one foaming agent F is foamed by foam injection molding. The polymer matrix M is preferably based on at least one thermoplastic styrene copolymer, such as ABS and ASA, and wherein the at least one foaming agent F is selected from chemical foaming agents, releasing carbon dioxide, and physical foaming agents, being carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a fibre-reinforced composite (K) in a thermoforming process. Moreover, a process for thermoforming a fibre-reinforced composite (K) to a molded body (M) is disclosed, the process comprising at least the following steps: (i) Providing a fibre-reinforced composite (K) as described herein; (ii) Heating the fibre-reinforced composite (K) to a temperature (T3) at which the at least one substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition (B) is substantially softened; (iii) Thermoforming the fibre-reinforced composition (K) in a mold at a mold surface temperature (T4) in order to obtain a molded body (M); (iv) Releasing the molded body (M) from the mold; wherein the mold surface temperature (T4) is ?50° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to fibre-reinforced composite (K) comprising (based on the total weight of the fibre-reinforced composite (K)): (A) ?50 wt.-% of at least one continuous fibrous reinforcement material; (B) <50 wt.-% of at least one substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition comprising (based on the total weight of the matrix polymer composition (B)): (B1) 60 to 80 wt.-% of at least one copolymer of styrene and/or ?-methyl styrene and acrylonitrile having a number average molecular weight Mn of 30,000 to 100,000 g/mol; and (B2) 20 to 40 wt.-% of at least one copolymer of styrene, acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and/or maleic acid having a number average molecular weight Mn of 30,000 to 100,000 g/mol; wherein the matrix polymer composition (B) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 100° C. and a melt volume-flow rate (MVR (220/10) determined according to ISO 1133) of 10 to 90 mL/10 min.

Abstract: The invention relates a process for preparing a fibre-reinforced composite (K) comprising the following steps: (a) Providing at least one continuous fibrous reinforcement material (A); (b) Providing at least one matrix polymer composition (B) having melt volume-flow rate (MVR (220/10) according to ISO 1133) of 40 to 70 mL/10 min and a viscosity number VN (according to DIN 53726) of 45 to 75 ml/g; (c) Applying the at least one matrix polymer composition (B) to at least one surface of the at least one continuous fibrous reinforcement material (A) to obtain a layered arrangement; (d) Heating the layered arrangement obtained in step (c) to a first temperature (T1) sufficiently above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the at least one substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition (B) to obtain a substantially liquid substantially amorphous matrix polymer composition (B); (e) Allowing the substantially liquid matrix polymer composition (B) to impregnate the at least one continuous fibrous reinforcement m