The pultrusion process

Pultrusion

Pultrusion is a process for continual production of composite profiles with constant cross sections and material properties which are manufactured for specific purposes. The method ensures consistent quality that can be reproduced. In principle, the process is simple and has been used since the 50s in its basic form.

Composites

Composites are defined as materials which consist of not less than two different component materials, neither of which are well suited for construction purposes on their own, but which in combination result in a very strong and rigid material.

Pultruded profiles

A profile produced by pultrusion contains three primary components: reinforcement, matrix and additives.

Reinforcement

The role of reinforcement in composite materials is primarily to add mechanical properties to the material such as strength and stiffness.

Matrix

The role of the matrix in a composite profile is partly to bind the reinforcement together, and partly to hold the reinforcement in place at the right points in relation to the cross section for optimal utilization of the mechanical properties.

Additives

Additives are a common name for agents which are added to the matrix.