| abstract |
An apparatus is provided for the integrated vacuum forming/reaction injection molding of a shaped polymeric laminate article, e.g., an item of sanitary ware such as a bathtub or a motor vehicle body panel, possessing a vacuum formed thermoplastic resin cosmetic layer bonded to a thermoset resin backing layer. In a preferred embodiment, the exposed surface of a vacuum formed preform is treated within the cavity of a sealed reaction injection mold, e.g., by plasma or chemically reactive gas, to modify the polymeric structure of the resin at such surface without affecting the bulk properties of the resin and thereby improve the adherent property of the preform for the subsequently formed theremoset resin layer. |