The technology and current applications of continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites

Abstract

Because of its inherent properties, the use of thermoplastic composites is expanding in a number of industries, including aerospace, rail transportation, and wind power generation. However, the development of 2D and 3D reinforced thermoplastic composite structures is hampered by the high viscosity and poor wetting of thermoplastic matrices, resulting in their application being mainly limited to nonload‐bearing components. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the technology and current applications of thermoplastic composites, covering materials, preform structures, manufacturing methods, process parameters, performance, and applications. It also provides an outlook on their future development.Highlights Thermoplastic composite has economic and environmental benefits. Summarized the current technology and application of thermoplastic composites. The manufacturing difficulty is the thermoplastic polymers wet fibers. One promising approach to the issue is prepreg technology. Prepreg technology make 3D thermoplastic composites become possible.