Environmentally friendly and energy efficent pultrusion

The aim of this project is to develop a new pultrusion technique that is environmentally friendly and one that permits new resin systems such as custom formulated polyurethanes to be evaluated. In the conventional process, the reinforcing fibres are impregnated in a resin bath and then passed through a heated die to cross link the resin and to shape the pultruded component. In the new manufacturing technique, the components of the resin will be stored in separate containers and pumped on demand using a custom designed polyurethane resin component delivery system. Efficient and effective impregnation of the fibres will be achieved using a novel combination of efficient fibre spreading and an injection-head. The green credentials of this new manufacturing technique will be assessed using life cycle assessment.