Abstract: Wraparound sleeves formed by weaving, knitting or braiding for the protection of elongated articles, such as cables and hoses, are disclosed. The tubes are provided with closure means comprising multifilament, bulky yarn interlaced along one marginal edge of the sleeving material and of Velcro hook tape or other hook type elements disposed along the other marginal edge. In one embodiment of the invention, the interlaced multifilament, bulky yarn is disposed along both marginal edges with the Velcro tape fastened to one side of the bulky yarn on one marginal edge. Intermediate bands or rows of multifilament yarn may be provided so that to accommodate bundles of irregular cross-sectional tape. When the sleeving material is provided in rolls, the hooks on one side of the web interengage with the bulky multifilament yarn surface exposed on the other side of the web so that the web is held in rolled up form except when deliberately unwrapped.

Abstract: Composite articles comprising a matrix material and reinforcing fibres coated individually or in tows with a support layer and methods of making the same are disclosed. The support layer is capable of supporting the fibres and preventing kinking thereof when the article is deformed while the matrix material is relatively soft. Polymeric matrix and support layer materials, either thermoplastic or thermosetting, are disclosed. When the support layer comprises a thermoplastic material, it should be selected to have a softening temperature which is higher than any temperature to which the article is heated for deformation. If matrix material and support layer are thermoplastic, the materials should be selected so that the softening point of the support layer is at least 10.degree. C. higher than that of the matrix, especially at least 30.degree. C. higher. According to the disclosure, the fibres are arranged so as to deform in a trellis deformation when the article is deformed.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a tubular composite article of polymeric matrix material and fibrous reinforcing material, comprising enclosing a length of the tubular composite article in a tubular protective member and advancing the protective member to carry the length of the article thus enclosed through a consolidation zone wherein the article is progressively subjected to consolidating temperature and pressure. The method enables the composite to be pulled through the consolidation zone without the distortion which tends to occur in standard "pultrusion" methods owing to surface friction and longitudinal tension on the composite.