Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing composites and laminates reinforced with continuous or long fibers and/or filaments. The process includes the subsequent steps of (a) forming a preform of reinforcing material by arranging a green tape, ribbon, sheet or cloth including a number of continuous longitudinally oriented fibers or filaments which are spaced from each other by uniformly distributed particles, bonded by a flexible binder, (b) removing or converting a major portion of the binder into matrix material and, if applicable, (c) filling the voids and cavities with matrix material. Further, this invention relates to a process for manufacturing composites and laminates reinforced with chopped-aligned fibers and/or filaments, which includes chopping a green tape or ribbon as defined above, mixing the chopped tape or ribbon with a binder, lubricant and/or matrix material and forming mouldings from this mixture by any moulding method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and apparatus for treating materials consisting of a plurality of monofiliments with a treating agent. The treating agent is suspended in streams which are directed to the material from various directions and under a controllable pressure so as to separate the monofiliments and thereby expose the individual monofiliments to the treating agent. The streams of treating agent are directed to the material with application of the Venturi principle. The streams of treating agent may be applied in a reciprocating manner.