Cross-head die

Abstract

A cross-head die which is comprised of a die body with a flow chamber, a plurality of die cavities, die elements within the die cavities, communication between the die cavities and the flow chamber, a means for individual flow adjustment to each die cavity, and a means for axial motion of the filamentary member(s) through the die elements. The single flow chamber communicates to a plurality of die cavities through individual radial flow ports. The flow chamber is open at one end and closed at the other except for a cleaning hole. Within each of the radial flow ports resides a device for adjusting flow restriction. Within each die cavity is a cylindrical die piston. A gap created between the die piston and the die cavity defines a path for resin flow. The resin flow path is tapered to a point at which the filamentary member exits from a smaller cylindrical bore through the center of the die piston. The resin is deposited on the filamentary member as it moves through the die piston to produce a composite matrix strand.