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: 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: Stabilized compositions having an organic material to be stabilized and a resin masterbatch system provided as closed end pellets are provided herein, along with processes for producing stabilized articles.

Abstract: Stabilizer compositions having a stabilizing amount of at least one co-active agent; an ultraviolet light absorber chosen from orthohydroxyphenyl triazine compounds and/or benzoxazinone compounds; and a hindered amine light stabilizer, are provided herein, along with masterbatch concentrates containing same, and processes for using same for stabilizing polymeric organic materials to protect against light and thermal degradation due to exposure to UV irradiation.

Abstract: A method for surface preparation of a composite substrate prior to adhesive bonding. The surface preparation method includes applying a resin-containing peel ply onto a composite substrate, followed by co-curing. The resin-containing peel ply contains a non-removable textile carrier and a removable woven fabric embedded therein. After co-curing, the peel ply is removed from the composite substrate such that the removable woven fabric is removed but the non-removable textile carrier and a film of residual resin remain on the composite substrate, thereby creating a modified, bondable surface on the composite substrate. The composite substrate with the modified surface can be bonded to another composite substrate, whereby the textile carrier remains an integrated part of the final bonded structure.

Abstract: Curable epoxy resin compositions suitable for liquid resin infusion processes. In one embodiment, the resin composition contains (a) at least two polyepoxides, one of which is triglycidyl ether of tris(hydroxyphenyl)methane, (b) an aromatic amine curing agent, and (c) core-shell rubber particles. In another embodiment, the resin composition (a) at least two polyepoxides, one of which is diglycidyl ether of bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, (b) an aromatic amine curing agent, and (c) core-shell rubber particles.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced polymeric composite structure having chemically active thermoset particles positioned in an interlaminar region between adjacent layers of reinforcement fibers and method of making the same. Upon curing of the composite structure, the chemically active functional groups on the thermoset particles form covalent bonds with the matrix resin surrounding the particles. In one embodiment, the particles are formed of a partially cured thermoset polymer with a degree of cure of less than 100%. In another embodiment, the particles are derived from a thermosettable resin composition, wherein the stoichiometry is such that there is a deficiency or an excess in the amount of curing agent that is necessary for reacting with 100% of the thermoset resin component. In some embodiments, the composition of the chemically active thermoset particles is the same or substantially the same as that of the matrix resin of the composite structure.

Abstract: A hot drape-forming method for shaping fibrous preforms and prepreg plies into complex geometries. For shaping fibrous preforms, the hot drape-forming method includes: a) dividing the total number of preforms into a plurality of sub-preforms (S1, S2, S3); and b) consecutively shaping each sub-preform (S1, S2, S3) by applying vacuum pressure and heat, wherein the shaping of all sub-preforms (S1, S2, S3) are carried out in the same tool housing (10) over the same molding surface. The resulting shaped preform (S1, S2, S3) is ready for resin infusion. The same method can also be used to shape resin-impregnated prepreg plies.

Abstract: A laminar pre-preg of fibre-reinforced curable composite material. The pre-preg includes at least one layer of reinforcing fibres impregnated with a curable resin containing one or more curable thermosetting resin(s) and at least one liquid curative, wherein the curable resin exhibits a cure conversion of at least 95% when cured at a cure temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 160° C. and the cure cycle has a duration of no more than 10 minutes, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the curable resin when cured is in the range of from about 130° C. to about 165° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: A resin infusion method that incorporates a melt-on-demand approach. The method includes: (a) providing a curable resin composition in the form of a block of frozen resin (20); (b) coupling the block of frozen resin (20) to an inlet port of a heated extruder (22), which comprises at least one rotating screw (24) housed within a heated barrel (25); (c) progressively melting the block of frozen resin (20) at the inlet port and concurrently feeding the melt resin through the heated barrel (25) to produce a liquid resin having a viscosity suitable for resin infusion; (d) continuously feeding the liquid resin exiting from the extruder to a mold, which contains a fibrous preform; and (e) introducing the liquid resin into the fibrous preform, wherein the block of frozen resin (20) provides an amount of resin composition sufficient for infusing the entire fibrous preform.

Abstract: Curable epoxy resin compositions suitable for liquid resin infusion processes. In one embodiment, the resin composition contains (a) at least two polyepoxides, one of which is triglycidyl ether of tris(hydroxyphenyl)methane, (b) an aromatic amine curing agent, and (c) core-shell rubber particles. In another embodiment, the resin composition (a) at least two polyepoxides, one of which is diglycidyl ether of bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, (b) an aromatic amine curing agent, and (c) core-shell rubber particles.

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: Stabilizer compositions having a stabilizing amount of at least one co-active agent; and a stabilizing amount of any one or more ultraviolet light absorber chosen from an ortho-hydroxyphenyl triazine, an ortho-hydroxy benzophenone, or an ortho-hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole, optionally in combination with a stabilizing amount of a hindered amine light stabilizer, are provided herein, along with masterbatch concentrates containing same, and processes for using same for stabilizing organic materials to protect against light and thermal degradation due to exposure to UV irradiation.

Abstract: Silicon containing polyamine scale inhibitors derived from poly(primary amine)s are disclosed. The scale inhibitors can be used to reduce siliceous scale formation in industrial process streams such as alumina recovery process streams, nuclear waste streams and kraft paper mill effluent streams.

Abstract: Surface-treated polymeric particles which are dispersible in water or an aqueous solution without the aid of any surfactant. Surface treatment of hydrophobic polymeric particles is carried out to increase the surface energy and to render the surfaces of the particles hydrophilic, thereby eliminating the need for a surfactant to disperse the polymeric particles in water or an aqueous solution. As such, a surfactantless slurry can be formed from the surface-treated particles for the fabrication of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite structures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.