Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited

Satoru Funkakoshi

Masahito Matsumoto

Syohei Masui

A fiber-reinforced article includes an expanded core layer having opposing first and second surfaces with a thickness defined therebetween. The expanded core layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic material and fibers with average length of not less than about 1 mm, with at least a portion of the fibers being coated with the thermoplastic material. The fibers collectively define a network structure in which the fibers are interconnected with each other and fixed relative to each other via the thermoplastic material so that the coated fibers define interstitial voids therebetween. The article further includes first and second skin layers, the first skin layer having a surface integrally connected to the first surface of the expanded core layer and the second skin layer having a surface integrally connected to the second surface of the expanded core layer.

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Osaka, Japan

Satoru Funkakoshi