Abstract: A composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.

Abstract: A liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials in the fabrication of resin-infusible preform is disclosed. The binder composition is an aqueous dispersion containing (a) one or more multifunctional epoxy resins, (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer, (c) one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof, (d) water, and is essentially free of organic solvents. Also disclosed is an emulsification process for producing the liquid binder composition.

Abstract: A liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials in the fabrication of resin-infusible preform is disclosed. The binder composition is an aqueous dispersion containing (a) one or more multifunctional epoxy resins, (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer, (c) one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof, (d) water, and is essentially free of organic solvents. Also disclosed is an emulsification process for producing the liquid binder composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: A curable composite material that may be used in applications where both high mechanical performance and high electrical conductivity are required. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing carbon nanomaterials, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and insoluble polymeric toughening particles. The carbon nanomaterials are significantly smaller in size as compared to the polymeric toughening particles. The polymeric toughening particles are substantially insoluble in the matrix resin upon curing of the composite material, and remain as discreet particles at the interlaminar region after curing. Methods for fabricating curable composite materials and cured composite structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material that includes a layer of reinforcing fibres impregnated with a curable resin matrix and a plurality of electrically conductive composite particles positioned adjacent or in proximity to the reinforcing fibres. Each of the electrically conductive composite particles is composed of a conductive component and a polymeric component, wherein the polymeric component includes one or more polymers that are initially in a solid phase and are substantially insoluble in the curable resin, but is able to undergo at least partial phase transition to a fluid phase during a curing cycle of the composite material.

Abstract: A process for the production of a composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s), one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A), one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor, wherein said process comprises mixing or dispersing a first composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s) and one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A) with or into one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor.

Abstract: A process for the production of a composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s), one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A), one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor, wherein said process comprises mixing or dispersing a first composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s) and one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A) with or into one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: A dry, fibrous tape for use in an automated placement process such as ATL or AFP and a preform produced therefrom. The preform is configured for resin infusion. The tape contains a layer of unidirectional fibers, at least one nonwoven veil bonded to one side of the fiber layer, and at least binding materials present within the tape. The preform produced from laying down such tape exhibits a low-bulk property that is close to the final thickness of the cured fiber-reinforced resin article and no further consolidation or compaction is required.

Abstract: A curable composite material that may be used in applications where both high mechanical performance and high electrical conductivity are required. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing carbon nanomaterials, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and insoluble polymeric toughening particles. The carbon nanomaterials are significantly smaller in size as compared to the polymeric toughening particles. The polymeric toughening particles are substantially insoluble in the matrix resin upon curing of the composite material, and remain as discreet particles at the interlaminar region after curing. Methods for fabricating curable composite materials and cured composite structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: A process for the production of a composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s), one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A), one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor, wherein said process comprises mixing or dispersing a first composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s) and one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A) with or into one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor.

Abstract: Composite materials having favorable acoustic and vibration damping properties, while maintaining or improving other composite mechanical properties, include an interleaf layer comprising at least two different nonwoven materials in a specific sequence such that a gradient is formed in the z direction upon curing or an interleaf with a compositional gradient within its structure such that a resin interpenetration gradient is achieved upon curing. Composite materials that contain multilayered nonwoven interleaves are useful, for example, in structures found in aircrafts, such as fuselage skins, stringers and frames. Also contemplated are methods of making the composite material and the structures and aircrafts that contain the composite material.

Abstract: A liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials in the fabrication of resin-infusible preform is disclosed. The binder composition is an aqueous dispersion containing (a) one or more multifunctional epoxy resins, (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer, (c) one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof, (d) water, and is essentially free of organic solvents. Also disclosed is an emulsification process for producing the liquid binder composition.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a nonwoven layer having a viscoelastic interleaf, which may be positioned mid-ply therein.

Abstract: Composite materials having favorable acoustic and vibration damping properties, while maintaining or improving other composite mechanical properties, include an interleaf layer comprising at least two different nonwoven materials in a specific sequence such that a gradient is formed in the z direction upon curing or an interleaf with a compositional gradient within its structure such that a resin interpenetration gradient is achieved upon curing. Composite materials that contain multilayered nonwoven interleaves are useful, for example, in structures found in aircrafts, such as fuselage skins, stringers and frames. Also contemplated are methods of making the composite material and the structures and aircrafts that contain the composite material.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a nonwoven layer having a viscoelastic interleaf, which may be positioned mid-ply therein.