Thermoplastic matrix-based composites produced by resin transfer molding: A review

The recycling of thermoset-based composites is challenging. The replacement of thermosetting resins with thermoplastics is an initial step to address this issue, together with the use of green reinforcements. Owing to the recent development of low-viscosity thermoplastic resins, it is possible to produce thermoplastic matrix composites using the resin transfer molding (RTM) technique, which was originally conceived for the production of thermosetting matrix composites. These resins are based on cyclic esters, methyl methacrylate, and cyclic (butylene terephthalate) oligomers. This review presents the state-of-the-art works reported on the production of thermoplastic matrix composites via a thermoplastic RTM (TP-RTM) process, from the in situ polymerization of the resins through the optimization of the TP-RTM parameters for the evaluation of the composite properties.

Automated summary

The recycling of thermoset-based composites is a challenging task. The use of thermoplastics as a replacement for thermosetting resins is an important step in addressing this issue, along with the use of green reinforcements. Recent developments in low-viscosity thermoplastic resins have enabled the production of thermoplastic matrix composites using the resin transfer molding (RTM) technique originally designed for thermosetting matrix composites.