Impregnation Section And Method For Impregnating Fiber Rovings

Abstract

An impregnation section of a die and a method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The impregnation zone includes a plurality of contact surfaces, at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces defining a cut-away portion downstream in a run direction of the roving of a point-of-contact for the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces. The at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces further includes an edge defined by the cut-away portion. Excess material build up is reduced by the cut-away portion.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin, the method comprising:
 coating a fiber roving with a polymer resin;   traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin, the impregnation zone comprising a plurality of contact surfaces; and   reducing excess material build up on at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a cut-away portion defined in at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces reduces the excess material build up. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cut-away portion is defined in the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces downstream in a run direction of the roving of a point-of-contact for the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces further comprises a lobe-shaped portion for impregnated the roving with the resin, the lobe-shaped portion disposed upstream of the cut-away portion in a run direction of the roving. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a face of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces defined by the cut-away portion extends vertically. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a face of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces defined by the cutaway portion extends at an angle to vertical in the range between 1 degree and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an edge of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces defined by the cut-away portion is disposed at a peak of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an edge of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces defined by the cut-away portion is disposed downstream in a run direction of the roving of a peak of the at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the roving is under a tension of from about 5 Newtons to about 300 Newtons within the impregnation zone.