Compression-Molding of LFT/D/G

Long-Fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) ------

A process Technology of large scale production of fiber reinforced thermoplastic component.     There are usually 2 forms of LFT composite material.

① LFTD -Long Fiber-reinforce Thermoplastics Direct

② LFTG- Long Fiber-reinforce Thermoplastics Granules

LFTD material is the short name of Long Fiber-reinforce Thermoplastics direct. Like its name it can be directly used while it was produced. There is no middle procedure like GMT material which reduces the manufacture cost. This long fiber composite starts as continuous fiber strands, which were melt-impregnated with thermoplastic polymer, coupling-agents, stabilizer and going through a pultrusion process. The extruder machines are working continuously and produce a continuous long fiber reinforced material. The material is then cut in the component specified weight and directly placed into compression mold.

This direct process avoid the fiber breakage, and fibers are introduced straight into the melt so it give use the better surface quality (compared to GMT), No need reheating the semi-finished products will also reduce the thermo degradation of the material. So it is more cost effective and with better mechanical properties.

Like regular GMT material, LFTD material also combines polypropylene (PP) or thermoplastic polyamide (PA).

LFT material flow better, more cost effective, and basically having the same mechanical strength like GMT but with light weight, which is great advantage in automotive industry, such as battery covers, under shield body, front end, bumper bracket, reinforcement beams, hatchback, spare wheel pan etc…

LFT molding parts used in passenger cars

Spare wheel storage box compression mold and its molding part

LFTD battery covers mold trial with press machine

LFTD has superior specific modulus and strength, excellent impact resistance, recyclability, and excellent corrosion resistance. These advantages make LFT composites one of the most advanced lightweight engineering materials and enable their increasing use in various applications such as building industry.

Construction Panel developed by EANTE & molded by TOOLEX

When choosing the LFTD material to mold your part, there are several elements need to be considered. You would want to pick the right resin in combination to those fibers, what kind of fibers, glass reinforced or carbon, even hybrid, and then there is compression mold need to be considered, as it play an important role to help you achieve a decent LFTD product. So you would also want to pick the right mold supplier. We could help you with that. Please feel free to make a direct contact.