Polymer Composite Preform and Process for Producing Same.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. The present investigation relates generally to compacting polymer powder and more particularly to compacting a semicrystalline polymer-metal powder blend to form a preform having high strength and low electrical resistivity. Many avionic components are currently made of aluminum, but interest in reducing weight has promoted the development of lighter-weight thermoplastic polymers to replace the aluminum. The parts for avionic components must, however, meet stringent electromagnetic interference EMI shielding requirements. Consequently, the thermoplastic polymers for these EMI shielding applications must be made to be electrically conductive. Patent applications. jes