In the ReHyComPro research project, a new process combination of pultrusion and extrusion was developed to functionalise pultruded profiles with a thermoplastic inline coating.
© IKVIn order to pave the way for pultruded profiles for application in large-format window profiles, not only sufficient mechanical performance but also excellent optical and haptic properties are required. Both are difficult to achieve with the inherent fibre surface structure of the pultruded material. In the joint project ReHyComPro, a combination of pultrusion and extrusion processes was investigated in order to functionalize pultruded profiles by inline coating with a thermoplastic coating. An in-situ polymerizing thermoplastic resin is used as the resin for impregnating the fibres in the pultrusion process. A particular focus is on investigating the intrinsic bond between the pultruded profile and the top layer. The new process hybridization opens up the possibility of economically producing thermoplastic profiles with improved surface quality, impact strength and additional weldability in a single step.
Utilization of PMMA-based core and sheathing material enables the reuse of the profile by means of material recycling. By shredding the profiles and incorporating the shredded fibers, the life cycle of the materials can be extended after use in pultruded profiles (e.g. window frames). The compounds produced from the recycled fibres are comparable to conventional short-fibre-reinforced materials and can compete with them, even if the mechanical properties are sometimes lower than those of commercially available materials.
Project data and funding
We would like to thank the BMBF for funding the project (funding reference 03XP0328B) and the project partners for their co-operation.
Project duration: 01.04.2021 – 31.03.2024
Projektpartner
