Abstract: Polyimide polymers from 3,4,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,4,3',4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine such as p-phenylenediamine exhibit a high glass transition temperature, high thermal oxidative stability and low moisture regain, useful for structural applications.

Abstract: A curable composition and a method of making it comprises reacting in the presence of a catalyst epoxy resin(s) having at least 0.05% by weight of epoxy resin oligomer with a solid rubber which is swellable or soluble in the reaction mixture and possessing at least 1% by weight of reactive groups, in a rubber:epoxy resin(s) weight ratio of between 1:1 and 1:20, wherein said epoxy resin(s) comprises (a) at least one epoxy resin having an epoxy functionality of greater than three and (b) at least one second epoxy resin having a functionality of greater than one but not more than three; heating to effect the reaction, cooling to substantially ambient temperature, and adding any remaining portion of epoxy resin and curing agent(s).

Abstract: A near netshape carbon preform is provided comprising a woven fabric of a plurality of carbon yarns, said woven fabric having a helical shape and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution, said woven fabric being laid down, turn by turn, into a near net shape preform, and each layer of said fabric being needled to produce a near net shape preform with increased interlaminar strength and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution. A method for manufacturing a near net shape carbon preform with a polar woven substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon-carbon part is provided comprising a composite substrate having a plurality of discontinuous filamentized fibers and a binder that binds said filaments together to form a composite substrate, and a plurality of carbon atoms deposited onto the filaments at a predetermined temperature so that the binder is removed completely from said filaments and replaced by said carbon atoms to form a dense carbon-carbon part. A method for producing the dense carbon-carbon part is also provided.

Abstract: A curable composite material has a thermosettable resin matrix and a continuous-fibre reinforcement impregnated by said matrix. The fibres of the reinforcement are sized with an aromatic thermoplastic resin, preferable selected from polysulphones, imidized polysulphones and polyisoimides.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced prepreg is provided comprising a carbon paper substrate and a thermoset resin with flame retardant components, the prepreg being particularly useful in the fabrication of aircraft interiors. The substrate may contain PAN carbon fibers and an alcohol binder. The resin may comprise between about 50% to 80% of the prepreg.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced prepregs containing a methacrylate butadiene styrene modified thermoset resin are particularly useful in the fabrication of electrical and office equipment enclosures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to impact resistant or toughened phenolic based resin blends impregnated into a graphite fiber substrate to make a prepreg. The prepreg is used to fabricate storage bins for the transportation industry.

Abstract: Resin compositions comprising inorganic species selected from the group consisting of siloxanes and phosphazenes in combination with and capable to being bonded to thermoset and/or thermoplastic resin system derivable from cyanate functional monomers and/or oligomers. Reacted resin compositions are found to have enriched areas of the inorganic species. The resin compositions have a variety of improved properties including toughness and improved resistance to oxidation.