APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING REACTIVE POLYMER PRE-PREGS

A method and apparatus for making a reactive polymer pre- impregnated reinforcement material, comprising applying a substantially non-volatile composition of substantially solid particles of a reactive thermoset resin to a porous substrate at ambient temperature, initially by melting a first portion of the particles of the reactive thermoset resin. The first portion of the particles of the reactive thermoset resin flows into interstices of at least one layer of the porous substrate and a remaining portion of the particles of the substantially non-volatile composition remains solid. An apparatus for forming a drapable polymer pre-impregnated reinforcement material, comprising: a feeder roll of reinforcement material, a receiver roll of drapable polymer pre-impregnated reinforcement material and a conveyor belt having the reinforcement material from the feeder roll thereon, and a particle deposition hopper adapted to deposit between 20 g/(meter squared) and about 2,000 g/(meter squared) of the substantially non-volatile composition.