Pultrusion
Composites of uniform cross-section with exceptional longitudinal strength and rigidity can be manufactured by the pultrusion technique.
Advancements in pultrusion processing and materials technology means that highly complex profiles of considerable dimensions can now be manufactured using this continuous production process.
Continuous length fibre reinforcements, impregnated with an activated resin, are pulled through a heated forming die which shapes the material. The catalyst is activated by the heat and the resin then cures. The solid cured profile is then automatically cut to length in-line, as part of the continuous process.
The reinforcement fibres are typically "wetted out" using one of two processing methods - using a resin bath, or by resin injection at the front of the die. Resin injection has the benefit of greatly reducing styrene emissions and is therefore one of the more environmentally friendly techniques available.