Abstract: The present invention is a method of cooling. The method comprises the steps of positioning material in a liquid state within a chamber. Then, there is the step of providing pressurized fluid about the chamber to form a thermal gradient across the chamber to directionally cool the material within. Preferably, the positioning step includes the step of positioning a mold with a mold chamber having material in a liquid state in the mold chamber, within an interior of a pressure vessel. Preferably, the providing step includes the step of introducing fluid, such as gas, into the pressure vessel such that the fluid that initially enters the pressure vessel is heated to a greater temperature than fluid subsequently introduced into the pressure vessel due to the fluid absorbing heat from the interior of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.

Abstract: A process for making a cured plastics moulding by introducing a pre-heated curable resin composition to a hotter mould which is at a temperature high enough to initiate curing of the resin, and supplying further resin under pressure to compensate for shrinkage of the composition wherein the curable resin is a formulation comprising an aromatic glycidyl ether epoxy resin, an inert filler, a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salt as accelerator, 0.5-1.2 mol per mol epoxy of a saturated cycloaliphatic anhydride and a polycarboxylic acid preferably derived from the reaction of a polyol, this acid being present at a level of 0.05-0.5 mol carboxyl per mol epoxy.

Abstract: A process for reducing stresses and strains of thermoplastics is described wherein the process includes the step of heating the outer layer of the thermoplastic with a heat source to produce a resin having favorable physical and chemical properties.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for gauging and controlling extruded profiled elements, particularly extruded profiled elements made of synthetic material. The apparatus includes at least one control and correction gauge arrangeable downstream of an extrusion die along the extrusion direction and in which there is a passage shaped so as to match the profile of the extruded profiled element. The passage can be crossed by the extruded profiled element, and there are holes and/or channels for heating and cooling preset regions of the profiled element to correct the profile and/or the internal tensions of the profiled element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cushion material including steps of: a mixed fiber manufacturing process in which main fibers and a plurality of types of heat-fusible fibers, which are formed of main fibers and sheath portions and whose sheath portions have different melting points, are mixed so as to make mixed fibers; a supplying process in which the mixed fibers are spread at a substantially uniform density at an entire one forming mold of a plurality of forming molds; and a heating process in which the mixed fibers spread at the entire one forming mold are heated such that a heating temperature of portions of a cushion material which are to be formed hard differs from a heating temperature of portions of the cushion material which are to be formed soft so that a number of types of the heat-fusible fibers which melt at the portions of the cushion material which are to be formed hard is greater than a number of types of the heat-fusible fibers which melt at the portions of the cushion material which are to be f

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite structure comprised of a matrix material, such as metal, and a plurality of diamond particles dispersed within and surrounded by the matrix material. In a first embodiment, the composite structure is used as an electronic package to house an electrical device such as an integrated chip. The diamond particles are dispersed within the matrix material in proportion such that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the package essentially matches that of the electronic devices. In another embodiment, the composite structure can be used as a thermal conductor, such as a heat sink. In yet another embodiment, the composite structure can be used as a component subject to attrition. The diamonds offer unexcelled wear resistance and transfer the heat efficiently. The invention is also a method of producing a diamond composite structure including comprising the steps of casting diamond particles, binding particle and flow medium into a mold.

Abstract: An analytical device determines the analytes in a liquid sample. This device includes a layer of flat material which has a sample application area and a detection area thereupon. The detection area includes a reagent for determining the analyte, and the absorbent sample application area and the absorbent detection area are disposed within a liquid impermeable boundary. The layer of flat material also includes an absorbent connector which is disposed such that the sample application area and the detection area are connected by the absorbent connector. The liquid impermeable boundary and the absorbent connector prevents liquid from being transported between the sample application area and the detection area, except through the absorbent connector.

Abstract: A process for compression molding a fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin article that includes subjecting the fiber reinforced resin material to heat and pressure to form the article, then directionally cooling the mold sequentially from bottom to top to provide a thermal gradient suitable for creating directional solidification of the material.

Abstract: A method for making expandable foam patterns for use in an evaporative casting process includes assembling a plurality of mold parts of a molding tool having mold walls defining a mold cavity, each mold part having a housing wall separated from the mold wall to form a heat exchange cavity adjacent the mold wall, inserting at least one heat pipe adjacent a mold wall portion, filling the mold cavity formed by the mold parts with expandable foam beads, heating the tool by introducing a fluid heat exchange medium to the heat exchange cavity to heat the cavity for a predetermined time, cooling the tool and separating the mold parts to release the expanded foam pattern.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of flee-formed prongs joined to an embossed or raised substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto the embossed or raised portion of a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the embossed or raised substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heated film die for the fabrication of plastic containers such as bags, envelopes, balloons, bladders, etc.. The die is an integrated sectionalized structure having independent, adjacent, electrically heated, temperature regulated, die sections which are maintained at different temperatures, for performing, simultaneously, two or more of operations such as, cutting, staking and forming, in plastic container fabrication. A lower temperature heat sink between adjacent die sections provides thermal isolation between the die sections.

Abstract: An assembly is provided with a semiconductor chip mounted on the main surface side of a die pad of a lead frame. The semiconductor chip is connected with a lead via bonding wire. The assembly is inserted into a transfer molding die for resin sealing, wherein the die temperature of a lower die is set higher than the die temperature of an upper die, and the transfer molding is carried out. Specifically, the die surface temperature of the lower die disposed at the main surface side of the lead frame is set higher by +5.degree. to +15.degree. C. than the die surface temperature (170.degree. C.) of the upper die disposed at the rear surface side to carry out molding. This reduces the viscosity of the sealing resin flowing into the rear surface side to increase fluidity of the resin, and a thin resin layer can be positively molded without insufficient resin filling at the rear surface side where the flow path cross sectional area in the cavity is small.

Abstract: A source of radio frequency energy is applied to a low thermal inertia heating element with high thermal conductivity, such as a spool, for rapidly heating the heating element to settable predetermined temperature, which temperature is maintained essentially constant. The heating element is detachably attached about the die of a mold for transferring heat to the die to form, mold, weld or extrude thermoplastic material placed within the mold. Thermal chokes restrict heat transfer from the die to the remainder of the mold. One or more heat sinks draws and dissipates heat from the thermal chokes to maintain cool zones of the mold. Following the heating cycle, upon termination of application of radio frequency energy to the spool, cooling may be accelerated by directing a stream of gas upon the heating element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rotationally casting a plastic tank liner having a molded-in access fitting and for ensuring a uniform thickness of plastic in the wall of the liner and on the fitting. A hollow mold having a mold cavity surface conforming to the surface of the liner is provided. An access fitting is removeably mounted on the mold so that the interior surface of the fitting may be coated with the molding plastic and so that the molded liner and the filling may be removed from the mold as a unit. The mold is rotated about orthogonal axes while the mold is heated to a resin liquifying temperature. Additional heat is supplied to the fitting at a rate proportional to the mass of the fitting so that the temperature of the inside surface of the fitting is increased at a rate substantially corresponding to the inside surface temperature of the mold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for molding a thermoplastic article bring the surface of the mold cavity above the flow stress relaxation temperature of the molten plastic during molding of a part sufficiently long enough to relax the resin at the surface of the molded part and produce negligible residual stress. The surface of the mold cavity is maintained above the flow stress relaxation temperature of the molten plastic as the center of molten plastic in the mold cavity cools from a temperature above the solidification temperature toward the solidification temperature, thereby reducing flow-induced and temperature gradient induced stresses in the solidified mold material of the molded part. The heat of the molten plastic introduced into the mold is used as the source of the heat for heating the surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has in engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a plate denture which includes heating a flask after embedding a wax denture and wax elimination to a temperature for polymerizing a heat-curable resin, the flask being an assembly including a first half shell having a plaster cast with a corresponding mucosal surface and a second half shell having a plaster cast with artificial teeth embedded therein. The method further including placing the heat-curable resin into the heated flask for polymerization while the flask is at an elevated temperature from the heating, and polymerizing the heat-curable resin in the heated flask. Wherein, during the step of heating the first half shell is heated to a higher temperature level in a range of temperature for polymerizing the heat-curable resin while the second half shell is heated to a lower temperature level in the range than the first half shell.

Abstract: A novel extrusion method and apparatus are disclosed for varying the width of an extruded article which employs the use of thermal pins in the extruder die body and does not involve the use of any mechanical manipulation of the die configuration.

Abstract: In order to mold structural components where a resin is introduced into a mold containing a fibrous preform 24, the mold or tool halves 10, 12 are made as shells and have individually controllable heating circuits 34, 38, 52 around the mold surface. Different parts of the mold can therefore be held at different temperatures in order to ensure adequate resin flow to wet the whole of the preform.

Abstract: By means of the process and by means of the apparatus, fused silicon is produced continuously, or in phases, and zonally cast into a mold in which it is caused to solidify zonally. The temperature conditions in the solidification zone are controlled with the aid of a movable heating zone, by means of which the crystallization front is adjusted to the rising level that fills up the mold, this level being in turn controlled by the fusion rate of the silicon. Polycrystalline silicon blocks can be obtained in which, because of the flat shape of the crystallization front, the columnar single-crystal domains within the blocks extend almost vertically and which represent an excellent solar cell base material having high diffusion lengths and lifetimes of the minority charge carriers, from which solar cells of correspondingly high efficiencies can be produced.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a tubular thermoplastic resin film having a rough inner surface, the temperature of a mandrel located near a discharge port of a resin passage is set lower than the temperature of a die ring over a limited range in the circumferential direction of the discharge port. A cooling device is provided in the mandrel for cooling the portion of the mandrel located near the discharge port of the resin passage to a temperature lower than the temperature of the portion of the die ring located near the discharge port. The cooling device cools limited areas on the surface of the mandrel. These limited areas are spaced around the circumferential of the discharge port of the resin passage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating contaminated plastics waste, comprising densifying contaminated plastics waste by causing the waste to pass through a heating zone to produce molten contaminated plastics, and causing the molten contaminated plastics to flow continuously out of the heating zone under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising conductive particles and one or more polymers, particularly acid copolymer resins or derived ionomers, which can be extruded or heat formed into films or articles. More specifically, the method of the present invention is directed to a novel, non-uniform heating process, wherein the edge portions of a material is heated about 3-50 degrees Celsius hotter than the center or middle portions of the article or film during fabrication to thereby provide improved and substantially uniform electrostatic dissipative ("ESD") properties.

Abstract: A plastic part is molded of a plastic with an inner body of crystalline plastic and an outer surface layer of an amorphous plastic. The amorphous surface layer withstands friction loading at least during an initial break-in period. In one embodiment, the amorphous surface is formed by using a higher plastic melt temperature and/or or a lower mold temperature than normal. In another embodiment, an intermediate part is molded as a crystalline intermediate part, and a surface layer is heated and quenched to form the amorphous surface layer on the final part. A bearing cage is molded by injecting the plastic melt at a single point intermediate the ends of a single bar of the bearing cage to permit formation of the desired amorphous layer on rails connected to the ends of the bars.

Abstract: A method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products includes the steps of forming a mold with a partial recess closed by a removable plug and thereafter selectively directing heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface and thereafter casting thermoplastic material against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug is supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part.

Abstract: A crystalline resin sheet having one, smooth surface and the other, roughened surface is produced by extruding a melt of the resin through a die to form a molten sheet, the molten sheet being subsequently contacted, at only one of the both surfaces thereof, with a cooled, smooth surface maintained at a temperature lower by 20.degree.-90.degree. C. than the melting point of the resin to solidify the molten sheet and to make the contacted surface of the sheet smooth. The other surface of the sheet which has not been contacted with a cooled surface becomes roughened because of the crystallization of the resin.

Abstract: A method for temperature conditioning a blank of plastic material in which a conditioning mandrel is placed within the blank and thereafter expanded into reliable abutment against the inner surface of the blank. The mandrel is thereafter returned to its initial position. The outer surface of the mandrel is adjusted to and maintained at a certain temperature, whereby, during the abutment, an energy exchange takes place between the blank and the mandrel for adjusting the temperature of the blank. At high temperatures of the mandrel, the mandrel is displaced out of the blank after such short time that the plastic material in the region of the abutment surface never passes the critical temperature of tackiness of the plastic material and/or thermal crystallization of the plastic material. As a rule, the expansion and contraction of the mandrel is repeated one or more times.

Abstract: In a mold apparatus, the receiving molding surface and the opposing molding surface are each mounted coaxially and in sliding fashion within an alignment means. Both of these alignment means have an equal number of spaced apart alignment pads which are positioned such that opposing pads will be in cooperable engagement with each other during pressing.Utilizing the disclosed apparatus, a method for molding precisely shaped articles, such as magnetic memory disc substrates which require precisely parallel, opposite molded surfaces, is described. Simply stated, the method utilizes the alignment pads' thermal expansion characteristics to induce a controlled level of thermal distortion to obtain pad lengths which result in parallel opposing molding surfaces.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed wherein a shrinkable polymer material is formed in situ in a mold without defects and with no internal stresses. A monomer or polymer solution is injected into the mold and solidified sequentially through the mold by exposure to an agent such as ultraviolet radiation, with simultaneous addition of monomer or polymer solution into the area of the mold not yet exposed to the solidifying agent. By controlling the rate at which the solidifying agent is moved across the mold and the monomer or polymer solution is injected into the mold, the resulting product completely fills the mold and is stressfree.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed wherein a shrinkable polymer material is formed in situ in a mold without defects and with no internal stresses. A monomer or polymer solution is injected into the mold and solidified sequentially through the mold by exposure to an agent such as ultraviolet radiation, with simultaneous addition of monomer or polymer solution into the area of the mold not yet exposed to the solidifying agent. By controlling the rate at which the solidifying agent is moved across the mold and the monomer or polymer solution is injected into the mold, the resulting product completely fills the mold and is stressfree.

Abstract: A thermoformable mat, e.g., a mat of resinated fiberglass, is compressed and shaped into a contoured object, e.g., a shell for an automobile headliner, by this process. The mat is compressed between two dies that have been preheated. At least one of the dies is perforated. Superheated steam (e.g., at 80 psig and 600.degree. F.) is ejected from the perforations into the mat, thereby quickly raising the mat temperature to its thermoforming point. After the mat is set into the contoured shape, the dies are reopened and the formed mat is removed. If the mat that is used contains a thermoplastic adhesive, the mat is cooled to below the adhesive's melt print before the dies are opened. This can be done by applying a vacuum to the perforated die and pulling ambient air through the mat.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the impact of a higher temperature polymeric melt stream element on a lower temperature polymeric melt stream element, and vice versa. The methods include: supercooling the hotter melt stream element, exposing one or more melt stream elements to an undesirable thermal condition for a limited period of time, and/or using one or more layers as a heat sink. The apparatus is provided by a modified die in which one of the melt stream elements having the disparate temperatures traverses the die in a foreshortened path in the direction of extrusion of the extrudate.

Abstract: As an article of manufacture, an ovenable shaped article formed of polyethylene terephthalate having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, said crystallinity being substantially uniform over the whole of the shaped article, and a process and apparatus for making same.

Abstract: A method of producing a pore-free polynorbornene article having thick-walled portions is provided. The method comprises providing a monomer charge containing at least one norbornene monomer having a tricyclic or higher cyclic structure; introducing the monomer charge into a mold at a temperature greater than the inside mold temperature; polymerizing the monomer charge under pressure via a ring-opening catalyst system; cooling the molded article; and removing the molded article from the mold.

Abstract: A shutter, made of synthetic resin, for a disk cartridge for closing and opening a head access hole formed in a cartridge casing accommodating therein a rotatable disk comprising a pair of side plates facing each other, a connection plate for connecting corresponding ends of the side plates to provide the shutter with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and an ejection mark formed by means of ejection pin moulding, disposed on a portion of an outer surface of one of the side plates, such that an end surface of the connection plate is at least partially extended.

Abstract: A dielectric mold member has different thicknesses producing different radio frequency (RF) voltage drops thereacross. An RF electrode is spaced differently from a thermoplastic sheet to be dielectrically heated by the RF energy such that in one implementation the sheet receives uniform potentials and is heated uniformly. In other implementations, the sheet can receive selectively controlled heating over different regions. In an alternative embodiment, multiple pairs of electrodes apply different RF field levels to different portions of the thermoplastic sheet to compensate for the different voltage drops due to different mold thicknesses or to applied different controlled heating levels to different regions.

Abstract: A process for controlling curl in polyester film is disclosed in which a cost sheet is heated assymetrically across its thickness during longitudinal stretching to product positive, negative or zero curl, as required for subsequent uses or treatments of the film formed by such stretching.

Abstract: A process for the production of a ball game racket frame, in particular a tennis racket, squash racket or badminton racket frame, with a head and a shaft, in which at least the head and/or the shaft is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic as a hollow body, an injectable matrix, optionally with a reinforcing fiber material and an inert gas under pressure, in particular N.sub.2, is injected into a mold to form the hollow space of the hollow body.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing decorative features in situ in a base layer of cast plastic material includes the steps of providing a heated mold tool with a selectively heated surface in the form of a desired decorative feature; depositing a covering of thermoplastic material in the recessed surface and heating the recessed surface to partially fuse the thermoplastic material on the recessed surface to form segments of plastic corresponding to the desired decorative feature; dumping excess thermoplastic material from the heated mold tool; thereafter spray coating the mold at the recessed surface to stabilize the location of the partially fused material in the recessed surface; reheating the mold tool to partially remelt the retained stabilized segments and thereafter depositing a base layer of thermoplastic material across the full surface of the mold and reheating the mold to bond the retained stabilized segments to the base layer and cooling and stripping the mold to form a finished plastic shell having a deco

Abstract: In the injection molding process of ceramics, an injection mold having an area of the gate of at least 20% of the maximum cross-sectional area of the cavity viewed from the gate side is employed. The gate preferably has a shape substantially similar to a projection of the cavity viewed from the gate side. Further, the temperature of the mold is preferred to be controlled to have a temperature gradient in such a manner that the distribution of temperature of the molded body in the vicinity of the mold is brought into the range of .+-.0.5.degree. C. about a setting temperature, at the time pressurization of the molded body in the mold has just been completed. According to the process of the invention, the molding material injected and passed through the gate is controlled to flow smoothly along the shape of the cavity, uniformly purging the air so that homogeneous molded bodies free from defects, such as pores, weld-marks, or the like, can be obtained.

Abstract: Rigid mouldings, e.g. kitchen sinks, having a wall thickness generally not exceeding approximately 0.4in (10 mm) are produced by a process in which pre-heated and de-gassed curable resin composition, which sets within 60 minutes, is supplied under at least 4 psi (280 g/cm.sup.2) pressure to fill a hotter mould and thereafter until the composition in the mould has set so as to compensate for shrinkage. The composition temperature is controlled in the mould to maintain a substantially linear temperature gradient in the composition increasing from its entry into the mould for the composition to set progressively through the mould back to the entry. Preferably the composition includes an epoxide resin, an anhydride hardener and a mineral filler, and the temperature gradient is approximately 10.degree. C. Typically using a solid system composition maximum pre-heated mould temperature is 170.degree. C., the composition is supplied at 90.degree.-120.degree. C. at 15 psi (1050 g/cm.sup.

Abstract: Sunk spots in critical regions of a plastics injection moulded part are prevented by localized heating of the marginal zone of the part in the course of the production cycle by means of a high frequency electromagnetic field and application of a pressure in this region.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sandwich core molded article, including forming a thermo-elastic rigid foam core into a desired shape, wrapping the preformed foam core with a fabric, placing said wrapped preformed foam core in a mold whose inner confining surfaces form the shape of the final article, injecting a liquid thermosetting resin into the mold such that the thermosetting resin surrounds and wets the fabric wrapped about the preformed foam core, heating the mold to a temperature sufficient to expand the rigid foam core to compress the fabric wrapped surface of the foam core against the inner confining surfaces of the mold; and cooling the mold and removing the article from the mold.

Abstract: A method for curing fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite materials (22) includes the steps of providing a form (14) and positioning uncured composite material (22) on the form (14) substantially into a desired shape. The composite material (22) is then cured by providing a fluid bath (10) heated to a predetermined temperature, and heating the composite material (22) by immersing the positioned composite material (22) on the form (14) into the fluid bath (10) for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is sufficient to allow the composite material (22) to become cured and to heat the composite material (22) at a rate sufficient to provide resin flow prior to hardening. Compressive pressure is provided on the composite material (22) while it is immersed in the fluid bath (10).

Abstract: A method of molding articles including the steps of continuously moving a forming mold and a band-like molding member in a first and second endless path, respectively, engaging the respective mold and member through a region of engagement to form a continuous open-ended molding cavity; injecting hardenable material into the cavity; intermixing and compacting the hardenable material before hardening into an article and then disengaging the mold and band before removing the article.

Abstract: An improved decorative automotive vehicle trim strip and method and apparatus for forming by reshaping an end of a previously extruded length of thermoplastic material. The surface of the length of thermoplastic material intended for viewing is maintained at a cold temperature, well below the softening point of the thermoplastic material, during the reshaping operation. The length of thermoplastic material is heated during reshaping by a mold section heated 400.degree. to 410.degree. F. pressed against the surface intended to be affixed to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for producing a resin-bonded magnet, which includes steps of mixing a magnet element and microcapsules each of which contains at least one component of a thermally polymerizable resin composition as a binder component, mechanically breaking at least a part of the microcapsules during formation of a green compact comprising said resin composition and said magnet element to discharge the components of said resin composition from the capsules, and curing said resin to produce the resin-bonded magnet.

Abstract: In an injection molding method for plastic materials, an injection mold is used which includes two mold halves incorporating thinwalled members to define a cavity therebetween. Before injecting plastic material into the cavity, the mold is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the plastic material by circulating a heat carrier flowing through a heating device. During injection of plastic material, the flow of heat carrier is stopped for maintaining the temperature of the mold and for supporting the thinwalled members. After completely filling the cavity, the mold is cooled down to a temperature below the freezing point of the plastic material by suitably circulating the heat carrier which now passes through a cooling device.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts having good surface characteristics are produced by a process involving: preheating fiber reinforced composite to achieve at least a flowable viscosity of the polymer, and (2) molding under controlled rheological conditions. The preheating is conducted on composites that are predominantly amorphous thermoplastic polymers, copolymers, polyblends or alloys reinforced with continuous glass fiber strand reinforcing mat. The amount of the mat present in the laminate is less than around 40 weight percent of the composite. The temperature of preheating is at least greater than the glass transition temperature of the polymer and less than the degradation temperature of the polymer to expand the composite.