Abstract: A thermoplastic composite material is formed from a fabric, preferably woven, impregnated and preferably covered with a thermoplastic material (e.g. acrylic) constituting a monomer solvent and polymer mixture preferably in an approximately 2:1 ratio. The monomer changes the polymer viscosity to wet the fabric. The mixture contains small amounts of an initiator (e.g. benzoyl peroxide) for promoting the monomer polymerization and an inhibitor (e.g. hydroquinone) for preventing premature curing. Plastic sheets on the thermoplastic composite material inhibit the curing. An activator (e.g. tertiary amine) preferably applied to the material surface initiates the material curing at ambient temperatures when the plastic sheets are removed. To reproduce an article from a three-dimensional mold, the mold is disposed on a platform. After removing the plastic sheets, the thermoplastic composite material is disposed on the mold. A shroud (e.g.

Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.

Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.