| abstract |
A process for production of a monolithic article from a web of fibres of oriented polypropylene polymer, comprising the steps of subjecting the web to elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to melt a proportion of the polymer and compact it, and then cooling the compacted web, wherein an accelerated rate of cooling is employed down to 100°C. The process is of particular benefit when the weight average molecular weight (MW) of the fibres is 250,000 or below. The resultant articles have good stiffness and strength, yet with reasonable ductility. Similar articles cooled slowly are brittle. |