Definition of LFT:

LFT stands for Long Fiber reinforced Thermoplastics. Compares to the normal reinforced thermoplastics materials, its fiber length can only reach 1 mm, while using CENMEN processing technology, LFT fiber length will get at least 2 mm, in practical uses the LFT fiber length can stay between 5-10 mm or more.

In automobile industry, LFT material is applied in fabrication of structural and semi-structural components majorly, such as Front-end module, bumper beam, dashboard framework, battery bracket, spare tire bin, seat framework, pedal and integral floor, etc. And long fiber reinforced polypropylene is mainly be applied in The engine hood, dashboard skeleton, battery bracket, seat skeleton, car front-end module, bumper, luggage rack, spare placenta, fender, fan blade, engine chassis, roof liner, etc.

Formulation and Raw Material Illustration:

Glass Fiber Length and Distribution Status:

Technical standard for the final product:                        

The whole glass fiber is uniformly distributed in a network。                            Electron Microscopic Observation：

                                                                                                                         TEM test of melt after material extrusion                                                              

80% Glass fiber ＞30mm，Partly above 40mm

Distribution of glass fibers: deviation (±1%)

Present Situation of Domestic LFT:

Domestic technology of LFT-D online mould pressing forming equipment is not mature, most of the domestic equipment can only supply low-tech LFT product so currently the LFT-D online mould pressing forming equipment is reply on import majorly.

Based on the current situation of the domestic LFT-D equipment, CENMEN co-developing the LFT-D online mould pressing forming equipment with Beijing University of Chemical Industry and Beijing Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, for replacing the imported equipment. CENMEN was taking responsibility of the extrusion system development and manufacturing.

The traditional production technology of reinforced glass fiber composite material (such as injection molding and etc.) is a separated two-step process, which requires polymer/glass fiber composite granules that produced by the raw material manufacturer, then injection molding formed by the final product manufacturer. Due to the separated processes, this traditional forming method costs higher with processing, transition, storage and other intermediate links for the semi-finished product. Also, inner fiber glass of the final product average length cannot reach over 2mm and the eeinforcement and toughening effect is limited since the two-times separated melt plasticization processes of the traditional forming process.

Long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (LFT) compounding extrusion is a newly updated one-step production technology, which is able to leave out all intermediate links and cost saving up to 20-30% compare to the traditional injection molding process. Furthermore, the special two-stage twin screw extruder technic and die cutting design can provide up to 10mm inner fiber glass length of the final product, its technical performance is increased by 25-40% to the traditional injection molding process.

This late-model whole set production line is equipped with twin screw extruder, cutting designed die head, Infiltration method and other technics. This equipment set performs excellent mechanical properties and is capable of producing above 10mm average length final glass fiber product.

LFT-D Online Mould Pressing Technology Introduction:

• Twin screw two stages consecutive compounding extruder: the first stage extruder is for the composite material compounding; the second stage extruder is for the function of melt and glass fiber material coating, glass fiber cutting and the distribution effect for the glass fiber within the melt material.

• Transition device and manipulator: the transition device is for fixed length cut-off, precise conveying and heat preservation function. Multi-joint manipulator can automatically grab the melt material from the conveying device and feed it into the die cavity of the hydraulic press, which facilitates the interlocking operation of the whole production line.

• Hydraulic pressing forming device: composition of frame, main cylinder, hydraulic system, electrical control system, safety system and other auxiliary components. Motive system provides controllable hydraulic power source for press, which consists of high pressure pump, pressure regulating valve, oil tank, etc.

• The whole production line is equipped with programmable logic controller-PLC control system, completes the automation and information management of the whole production line, and achieves the automatic control and information centralization.

LFT-D Final Product: