Out of die ultraviolet cured pultrusion for automotive crash structures

In this paper the out of die ultraviolet (UV) cured pultrusion for manufacturing impact automotive energy absorbing parts has been analysed. Aspects such as the UV source, pultrusion process variables and final mechanical and physical properties of the pultruted parts have been studied. The measured maximum pulling force in the die was approximately 80 N. The parts cured with high intensity UV LED sources present low void concentration and almost no expansion at the exit of the die. The parts cured with the traditional UV arc lamp have an expansion of 20% of the expected thickness and hence, high void concentration. The less expansion at the exit of the die is translated into an improvement of 26% in the interlaminar properties and in 8% in the energy absorbing capability of the UV LED cured parts.