Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 3

Thermoplastics resins are widely used in almost every economic sector but there are few structural applicationsbecause long fiber reinforced thermoplastics are difficult to produce and but into shape. The new liquidmaterial with in situ polymerizable thermoplastics resin developed by Arkema (acrylic) and BASF (nylon) areenabling the fabrication of highly reinforced structural parts which was impossible previously. These newmaterials should open the door to high performance product in term of impact resistance, high tenacity in coldenvironment. The project will establish molding parameters and processing parameter that are still notavailable to the molder and the performance specifications needed by the OEM. The Project will also developcompatible surfaces finishes either by developing inmold coating or a thermoformed film that will be in thesame family of thermoplastic matrix. These compatible surfaces will ease the recyclability of the components atthe end of their useful life by eliminating the contamination introduced by paints. New processes for reshapingand welding will be evaluated and adapted for the highly reinforced part produced with these new materials.