Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible composite prepreg material. The prepreg material includes a fiber bundle of fiber tows having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, wherein exterior surface fibers of said fiber bundle have a thin, irregular sheath of matrix resin on and around said exterior surface fibers of said fiber bundle, wherein substantial number interior fibers filaments remain uncoated by the matrix resin, with discreet areas of through the thickness resin bridges made of the matrix resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible composite prepreg material. The prepreg material includes a fiber bundle of fiber tows having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, wherein exterior surface fibers of said fiber bundle have a thin, irregular sheath of matrix resin on and around said exterior surface fibers of said fiber bundle, wherein substantial number interior fibers filaments remain uncoated by the matrix resin, with discreet areas of through the thickness resin bridges made of the matrix resin.

Abstract: A system and method for articulated impingement mold heating utilizes a reduced mass mold having a first open-back mold half and a second open-back mold half. A preform is loaded into a mold cavity delineated by a first cavity shell of the first open-back mold half and a second cavity shell of the second open-back mold half. An outer shell surface of both the first cavity shell and the second cavity shell is then heated using an at least one heating nozzle following a heating path. The first open-back mold half and the second open-back mold half are pressed together and a cooling mechanism is utilized to cool the reduced mass mold; the cooling mechanism being an at least one cooling nozzle following a cooling path or an at least one cooling plug. Once cooled, a molded piece shaped from the preform is removed from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A flexible, low-bulk pre-impregnated (pre-preg) towpreg, which is the resultant impregnation of a low pressure impregnation of a bundle of un-spread fiber tows arranged in a predetermined cross-sectional shape. During the low pressure impregnation process, the resin does not enter into the fiber bundle, but rather only coats the surface fibers comprising the tow, resulting in un-coated fibers in the core of the prepreg and with molten resin, partially adhering onto and around the exterior fibers of the fiber bundle such that the interior fibers remain uncoated and a thin, irregular sheath of resin is created on and around the exterior of the fiber bundle surrounding the core of dry fibers.

Abstract: A flexible, low-bulk pre-impregnated (pre-preg) towpreg, which is the resultant impregnation of a low pressure impregnation of a bundle of un-spread fiber tows arranged in a predetermined cross-sectional shape. During the low pressure impregnation process, the resin does not enter into the fiber bundle, but rather only coats the surface fibers comprising the tow, resulting in un-coated fibers in the core of the prepreg and with molten resin, partially adhering onto and around the exterior fibers of the fiber bundle such that the interior fibers remain uncoated and a thin, irregular sheath of resin is created on and around the exterior of the fiber bundle surrounding the core of dry fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing flexible, low-bulk towpreg which involves powder coating a bundle of unspread fiber tows arranged in a predetermined cross-sectional shape, and the resulting towpreg. During the powder coating process, the resin powder particles do not enter into the fiber bundle, but rather only coat the surface fibers comprising the tows, resulting in dry fibers in the core of the towpreg and outer fibers which are coated with a discontinuous sheath of resin on the surface of the towpreg surrounding the core of dry fibers. The resin layer on the surface of the towpreg is formed by a partial melting of the powder particles. A post treatment process can be used to convert flat ribbon towpreg produced in accordance with the present invention into flexible unidirectional tape.

Abstract: An improved thermal target is disclosed which is characterized by its increased ability to take multiple hits with a dramatic reduction of the likelihood of failure due to short circuiting the electrical feed to the resistance heating elements. An improved heating element construction is provided by a pair of spaced, parallel disposed planar electrical busses having a resistance core element disposed in conducting relationship to the planar busses. The core can be designed to provide predetermined thermalized areas simulating a given thermal image, which areas are in constant electrical engagement with the planar buss so that a hit by a projectile will not likely interrupt the electrical current fed to the remaining thermalized area.