Abstract: A composite material is composed of a matrix of water hardenable material such as a portland-cement-based mixture, and reinforcement consisting of a plurality of layers of open-mesh textile fabric, each layer including two sets of straight lying parallel textile elements united to form the fabric. The width of the elements in each set is preferably chosen so that there is formed within the reinforcement a plurality of irregular cavities extending throughout the thickness of the reinforcement and filled with material of the matrix to form irregular plugs of the matrix material tending to unite the layers of fabric and distribute stresses between them. The individual textile elements may be monofilaments of various cross-sectional form, spun yarns, bundles, rovings, or composite filaments. The elements of the two sets can be united by wearing, weaving, additional yarns or adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a travelling film made from a molecularly-orientable synthetic thermoplastic organic polymer, according to which the film while in an unoriented condition and a molten deformable state has at least one of its sides modified so as to have a homogeneous series of high frequency discrete protuberances or depressions. This is achieved by subjecting the film to the action of an appropriately contoured surface. The frequency is at least of the order of 100 per inch. The center line average height of the protuberances or depressions is preferably from 1 to 10 microns. The process is advantageously used for making, inter alia, weaving tapes, twine and fibrous materials.Also disclosed is apparatus for carrying out such a process. In a preferred form it comprises an extruder, a pair of nip rollers, at least one of which has an appropriately contoured surface, and a hot drawing means. Also disclosed are versions including slitting means and fibrillating means.