Abstract
A novel concept for filament winding with a thermoplastic matrix has been explored The impregnation of the unidirectional reinforcement is performed in line with the winding operation, and the impregnated reinforcement is wound into rings with in situ consolidation. The reinforcement is impregnated with the matrix powder, after which it is melt impregnated in a small pultrusion die to form a well-defined rectangular cross sec tion. The matrix of the impregnated reinforcement is kept in its molten state until it reaches the contact point on the nng, where it is welded to the previously wound layer by means of controlled pressure and a concentrated and controlled heat source. The initial work presented here has proved the method to be Successful.