Thermoplastic composites: Back to the future

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Thermoplastic composites: Back to the future

Stadterman, R.L.

Composites have been widely used in the automotive industry for a number of years. Of particular interest in this paper are the new family of thermoplastic composites offered by AZDEL, Inc., a joint venture of GE and PPG Industries. These composite structures, developed through the synergistic use of GE plastics engineering resins and PPG Industries' proprietary fiberglass mat technology, have led to a family of products which have expanded the property profile available from that of AZDEL, the polypropylene-based composite, to higher temperature and higher modulus composites. These higher end products utilize thermoplastic polyesters and alloys of polycarbonates and polyesters as the matrix of the composite. These product families, trademarked AZMET and AZLOY, are reviewed and their application fits described. In additon to expanding the property profile, thermoplastic composite development work has focused on improved surface products for use on automotive horizontal body panels. Progress to date on this developmental work is reviewed.