In recent years

thermoplastic composites have been gradually used in aerospace

marine equipment

transportation

and other fields because of their excellent mechanical properties

environmental resistance

and recyclable potential. They can be prepared by various forming processes. Among them

overmolding

which is a unique molding process for thermoplastic composites can combine the prefabricated parts with the injection molding process. Due to the diversity of its structure and material design

process flexibility

it has gradually attracted wide attention from researchers. Based on the whole process of overmolding

this paper will introduce its research progress

including material system

manufacturing and pre-treatment of prefabricated parts

injection molding

post-treatment of structures

as well as the numerical simulation means and combined application methods involved in this process

and analyze the current process difficulties and future development direction.