Pultrusion

Pultrusion

An automated, high-volume, continuous process in which glass rovings are "pulled" through a heated die to form a contoured shape.

Pultrusion is a continuous and highly automated process that is cost-effective in the mass production of constant cross-section parts. Pultruded standard profiles include I-beams, channels, angles, beams, bars, bars, pipes and plates, which penetrate almost every market. The pultrusion process relies on a track-type traction system that pulls the fibers through a bath of catalytic resin and into a heated metal die. As the wetted fiber passes through the die (forming the shape of the desired profile), it is compacted and solidified. The cured profile is then cut to length with an automatic saw synchronized with the line speed.

An alternative wet-laid system injects resin directly into a heated mold and multiple fiber streams can be pultruded in a single mold with multiple cavities. To form a hollow or porous part, the wetted fibers are wrapped on a heated mandrel extending through a die. If off-axis structural strength is desired, the mat and/or stitched fabric may be folded into a material package prior to entering the mold. The pultrusion applications typically use glass fibers and thermosetting resins such as polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, and phenolics. Depending on the performance requirements of the final product, carbon fiber and other knitted and mixed reinforcement materials can also be used.

KUKE has a dedicated team of pultrusion experts who can help guide manufacturers from product selection to process knowledge.