Thermoplastic Unidirectional Prepreg Tape
Thermoplastic prepregs are advanced composite materials made from continuous reinforcing fibers (such as carbon, glass, or aramid fibers) pre-impregnated in a thermoplastic resin matrix.
TOPOLOGROUP – Expert in Thermoplastic Composites
As a leading manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic prepregs in China, TOPOLOGROUP’s independently developed core technologies continue to provide global companies with thermoplastic unidirectional prepreg tapes and thermoplastic composite sheets for a wide range of applications, helping customers create more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
Unidirectional (UD) continuous fibers are laid uniformly in a single direction and firmly impregnated with the resin, resulting in extremely high tensile and flexural strength in the fiber direction. These UD tapes are designed for high-performance applications due to their superior mechanical properties, recyclability, and processing advantages.
Performance Advantages ☑ High strength and high stiffness
Thermoplastic prepregs are reinforced with continuous fibers, which have superior mechanical properties, making them resistant to wear, pressure, and breakage.
☑ Lightweight
Typically with a density of around 1.6g/cm³, these materials are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment, where reducing weight without compromising strength is crucial.
☑ Fast Processing
Thermoplastic prepregs do not require curing, as thermosets do. Instead, they are compacted and formed by applying heat and pressure, which reduces production cycles and increases manufacturing output.
☑ Recyclability
Unlike thermoset prepregs, thermoplastic prepregs can be reheated, reshaped, and recycled, contributing to more sustainable manufacturing practices.
Specifications
Fiber Type
Glass fiber
Carbon fiber
Aramid fiber
Fiber Content
50% – 70%
Resin Types
PP (Polypropylene)
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide)
PE (Polyethylene)
PA (Polyamide)
PEI (Polyetherimide)
PC (Polycarbonate)
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PSU (Polysulfone)
Color
Black
Amber
Natural
Core Selection
3 inches
6 inches
UD Tape Thickness
0.15 mm – 0.40 mm
Coil Width
10 mm – 650 mm
Area Weight
240 g/㎡ – 600 g/㎡
Length Selection
1000 m/roll
1500 m/roll
2000 m/roll
Custom lengths available
Production Process of Thermoplastic Prepreg Tape
The most common preparation process is melt impregnation. Fibers are drawn from a fully automated tensioned fiber unwinder and passed through a mechanical unwinding and heating mechanism to evenly spread and preheat the fibers. Simultaneously, a resin melt metering extruder melts the thermoplastic resin. The extruded, high-temperature resin comes into contact with the fibers in the melt impregnation die, fully impregnating the fibers with the resin. The fibers then pass through cooling rollers for cooling and shaping, pass through a waste trimming device, and finally are wound up by a winder to produce a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic unidirectional tape.
Thermoplastic Composite Laminates
The thermoplastic prepreg is cut and stacked according to the design angle requirements, then heated to a certain temperature by a heater, and then a certain pressure is applied in a press, and the pressure is maintained at a certain temperature for a suitable time, and finally cooled to form a laminated sheet. This thermoplastic composite laminate has a larger area and thicker thickness. Learn More