Cost Effective Processing of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

AbstractAlthough an enormous potential has been projected for the application of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics in the automotive industry, these promising materials have not been widely adopted because they are not cost competitive. An economic efficiency model has been developed and applied to the analysis ofan innovative composite processing line for manufacturing automotive components. It identifies and assesses the significant potential for improving the economic efficiency ofthe processing technology for these composites.