Abstract: The present invention relates to assembly comprising a first component and a second component, each component comprising a polymer, as well as a film positioned between and bonded to the first component and the second component. The film is such that it comprises a blend of at least two poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) polymers and optionally at least one nucleating agent. The assembly has an improved fracture toughness and overall good mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a process for producing polymer fibers, typically polyacrylonitrile-based fibers, the properties of which are controlled by certain parameters of the process, such as the amount of jet stretch, the amount of wet stretch, and the amount of hot stretch employed. The present disclosure also relates to a process for producing carbon fiber from such polymer fibers.

Abstract: A method for shaping a composite material, the method comprising positioning a composite system in a press tool, the press tool comprising a male mold and a corresponding female mold separated by a gap, wherein the male mold and the female mold each independently have a non-planar molding surface, compressing the composite system between the male mold and the female mold by closing the gap between the male mold and the female mold; and maintaining the male mold and the female mold in a closed position until the viscosity of the composite system reaches a level sufficient to maintain a molded shape.

Abstract: Composite materials and structural adhesives containing particles of functionalized polymers as a toughening agent. The particles are composed of functionalized polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer or copolymer thereof that contain chemical functional groups capable of reacting with a thermoset resin component to form covalent bonds.

Abstract: A permeable LSP material that can be incorporated into a resin infusion process such as RTM and VaRTM. This permeable LSP material may be in the form of an elongated or continuous tape that can be used in an automated placement process such as ATL and AFP. In one embodiment, the permeable LSP material includes at least the following components: (a) a nonwoven veil of randomly arranged fibers; (b) a porous electrically conductive layer having openings through its thickness; and (c) a resin material distributed, in a non-continuous manner, throughout the nonwoven veil 11 and between the nonwoven veil and the porous conductive layer. The permeable LSP material can be brought into contact with a dry preform, followed by resin infusion and curing to form a hardened composite part having the LSP material integrated therein.

Abstract: Spoolable tubing suitable for use in the oil industry, and more particularly spoolable composite tubing with the ability to withstand high stress and high cracking resistance.

Abstract: A thermoset resin composition and composite materials containing reinforcement fibers impregnated with the thermoset resin composition. The thermoset resin composition contains: (a) a combination of multifunctional epoxy resins; (b) 4,4?-meth-ylenebis(2,6-xylidine) as a curative for the epoxy resins; and (c) a thermoplastic component, wherein the thermoset resin composition is void of any catalyst or accelerator that is reactive with the epoxy resins.

Abstract: A spinneret assembly for spinning polymeric fibers, including: (a) a cap provided with an inlet port and a flared lower surface that flares outwardly from the inlet port in the direction of flow; (b) a spinneret having numerous spinning flow channels through its thickness; (c) a filter freely resting on the spinneret; and (d) a flow guide with a tapered geometry mounted in a cavity defined by the cap and the spinneret. The flow guide has an apex facing the inlet port, a base facing the filter, and one or more side surfaces tapering up to the apex. A diverging flow passage is defined by the tapering side surface(s) of the flow guide and the cap's flared lower surface. The base of the flow guide is spaced apart from an upper surface of the spinneret, creating a space that is in fluid communication with the divergent flow passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) polymers, a method for the manufacture thereof, to articles and composites made therefrom, to methods of making the composites, and composite articles including the PEKK composites. It was surprisingly discovered that by synthesizing the PEKK polymers from low-metal monomers and selectively controlling the relative amounts of reactants during the synthesis, PEKK polymers having unexpectedly improved melt stability can be obtained. The PEKK composites including the PEKK polymers are especially well-suited for fabrication of thick composite parts where melt stability of the polymer matrix is important.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates a composite material containing fibers and a resin matrix that comprises a PEEK-PEoEK copolymer having RPEEK and RPEoEK repeat units in a molar ratio RPEEK/RPEoEK ranging from 95/5 to 5/95 in contact with at least a part of the surface of such fibers. The present invention also relates to methods for making such composite materials, shaped articles made from such composite materials, and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: A surfacing material that is mold-releasable and electrically conductive. This surfacing material can be co-cured with a curable composite substrate and can be in contact with a mold surface such that when the cured composite part is removed from the mold, the surfacing material is releasable from the mold with ease. The mold-releasable surfacing material can effectively eliminate the need for mold release agents and mold surface preparation.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composite material comprising a thermoplastic matrix comprising blends of poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) polymers, their method of manufacture and articles obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A controlled shear vacuum forming method that includes forming a three-dimensional (3D) structure from a preform material on a molding tool using restraints during vacuuming to prevent wrinkling. The restraints are withdrawn during vacuuming to allowing the preform material to come into contact with the sidewalls of the molding tool in a gradual manner. Such forming method is particularly suitable for forming wing spars with bent sections and/or curved contours.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous compositions containing water and the ammonium salt of a polyamide-amic acid. Processes for producing such aqueous compositions and uses thereof are described.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting hybrid veil that is permeable to liquid and gas. The hybrid veil includes: (a) intermingled, randomly arranged fibres in the form of a nonwoven structure; (b) particles dispersed throughout the nonwoven structure, wherein a majority of the particles are penetrating through the thickness of the nonwoven structure; and (c) a polymeric or resinous binder present throughout the veil. Such hybrid veil can be incorporated into composite laminates, prepregs, fabrics and fibrous preforms.

Abstract: A curable resin composition contains a curable resin that comprises at least one non-aromatic epoxy compound, at least one non-aromatic oxetane compound, or a mixture thereof, one or more curing agents selected from Lewis acid:Lewis base complexes, and a cure accelerating amount of one or more anhydride compounds. A method accelerating the cure of a curable resin composition, comprising adding a cure accelerating amount of one or more anhydride compounds to a curable resin composition comprising a curable resin that comprises at least one non-aromatic epoxy compound or non-aromatic oxetane compound and a curing agent that comprises one or more Lewis acid-base complexes. The composition and method are useful in making fiber reinforced resin matrix composite articles.

Abstract: A sulfur reaction product formed by reacting elemental sulfur with an amine or epoxy compound containing reactive functionality. Such reaction product can be incorporated into a thermosettable resin composition as a modifier. When the thermosettable composition containing such sulfur reaction product is cured, the resulting crosslinked thermoset displays improved stress relaxation characteristics in line with vitrimer like behaviors.

Abstract: A multifunctional surfacing material capable of providing lightning strike protection (LSP) and burn-through resistance. In one embodiment, the multifunctional surfacing material is composed of a conductive layer positioned between two resin layers, at least one of which contains one or more fire retardant compounds. In another embodiment, the multifunctional surfacing material is composed of a conductive layer positioned between two resin layers one of which is a thermally-stable layer. The surfacing material is co-curable with a composite substrate, e.g. prepreg or prepreg layup, which contains fiber-reinforced matrix resin.

Abstract: A method for the manufacturing of three-dimensional (3D) preforms and composite structures having non-planar surfaces and flanges such that the fibrous or composite material used for shaping the final 3D structure has the necessary length and surface area to conform to the desired contours of the molding tool without wrinkling. The manufacturing method begins with the formation of an intermediate preform blank by automated placement of fiber tapes or prepreg tapes, followed by shaping the blank on a molding tool with 3D contours to form the final 3D structure.

Abstract: A surfacing material that is capable of ultraviolet (UV) protection. The surfacing material is a multilayer structure composed of a woven peel ply fabric interposed between a first curable resin layer and a second curable resin layer. The surfacing material is designed to be co-cured with a composite substrate, for example, a prepreg layup. Upon curing, the peel ply fabric combined with the outer thermoset layer function as a UV protective layer. When the peel ply fabric and the outer thermoset layer are removed, a paint-ready surface is revealed. Such surface does not require any surface preparation prior to painting.