Abstract: An assembly (113) for composite manufacture is provided. The assembly comprises a cured resin impregnated reinforcement material (112) comprising a fibre component and a resin matrix component, in which the resin matrix component comprises polyurethane, the assembly having a length to width ratio of at least 5:1, and the assembly defining a longitudinal direction (L) along its length; and a peel ply (116) in contact with the cured resin impregnated reinforcement material (112), the peel ply (116) comprising a woven layer having a plurality of longitudinal fibres (118) extending in the longitudinal direction (L); and a plurality of transverse fibres (120) extending in a transverse direction (T) normal to the longitudinal direction (L); in which the areal density of the plurality of transverse fibres (120) is higher than the areal density of the plurality of longitudinal fibres (118).

Abstract: An assembly (113) for composite manufacture is provided. The assembly comprises a cured resin impregnated reinforcement material (112) comprising a fibre component and a resin matrix component, in which the resin matrix component comprises polyurethane, the assembly having a length to width ratio of at least 5:1, and the assembly defining a longitudinal direction (L) along its length; and a peel ply (116) in contact with the cured resin impregnated reinforcement material (112), the peel ply (116) comprising a woven layer having a plurality of longitudinal fibres (118) extending in the longitudinal direction (L); and a plurality of transverse fibres (120) extending in a transverse direction (T) normal to the longitudinal direction (L); in which the areal density of the plurality of transverse fibres (120) is higher than the areal density of the plurality of longitudinal fibres (118).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material (10) comprising a layer of electrically conductive material (12) being provided on both sides with a lightweight fibrous veil (14), each veil (14) being coated on its surface remote from the electrically conductive material layer (12) with a curable thermosetting resin matrix material (16).

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer, such as a light weight veil of thermoplastic polymer fibers, are located within the interleaf zone of laminates that are composed of fibrous layers and thermosetting resin. The thermoplastic veils are used in the interleaf zones as a replacement for thermoplastic toughening particles.

Abstract: Amino benzoates have been found to be useful curing agents for epoxy resins particularly para amino benzoates containing at least two primary amine groups and at least two carboxyl moieties, the amino benzoates are particularly useful as curatives in prepregs.

Abstract: A method of controlling a process for the manufacture of a multicomponent sheet material having a desired pre-determined parameter comprising applying electromagnetic energy to interact with the sheet material whereby the interaction modifies the applied energy, detecting the modified energy, comparing the modified energy or data derived from it with data relating to the pre-determined parameter and modifying at least one step of the process whereby the data relating to the modified energy is modified towards the data relating to the pre-determined parameter.

Abstract: Epoxy formulations comprising a polyfunctional epoxy resin, a solid bisphenol A epoxy resin, a phenolic end capped bisphenol A resin, a rubber epoxy adduct and a curative are provided as is their use in prepregs and as matrix materials in laminates of metal foil and fiber reinforced epoxy resins.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising an aromatic epoxy resin, an epoxy resin rubber adduct, an amine curing agent; and optionally one or more of an oil absorbent, a corrosion inhibitor and a urone accelerator, wherein the adhesive composition is curable at 150° C. in no more than 210 seconds.

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer, such as a light weight veil of thermoplastic polymer fibers, are located within the interleaf zone of laminates that are composed of fibrous layers and thermosetting resin. The thermoplastic veils are used in the interleaf zones as a replacement for thermoplastic toughening particles. The structured thermoplastic polymer may be coated with a conductive material to improve electrical conductivity through the laminate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an additive for a thermoset resin matrix having a core and a reactive cross-linked thermoset coating. The reactive cross-linked thermoset coating is the reaction product of a thermoset resin and a curative in a dispersant.

Abstract: A strip of curable prepreg comprising unidirectional fibers aligned with the length of the strip, the fibers being at least partially impregnated with curable thermosetting resin and comprising a flexible polymeric sheet on an outer face of the strip, wherein the strip has a substantially rectangular cross-section defining a width and a thickness of the strip.

Abstract: Laminar structures comprising a fiber reinforced layer bonded to an expandable filler containing layer to provide improved flexural stiffness to weight ratio at lower fiber loading; a process for the manufacture of the laminar structures in which the material are selected so that migration of the expandable filler into the fiber structure of the fiber reinforced layer as they expand is minimized or prevented.

Abstract: A molding material comprising a fibrous reinforcement layer and a curable resin matrix. The fibrous reinforcement layer comprises a non-woven fabric comprising a single layer of unidirectional tows arranged at an angle greater than 0° in relation to the lengthwise direction of the fabric and a support structure for maintaining the arrangement of the tows.

Abstract: A method of separating a composite material stack comprising multiple elements (12) in contact with one another is discloses. Each element (12) comprises reinforcement fibers and an uncured resin matrix, and the method comprises the steps of temperature treating the stack and/or applying a stress to the stack to separate the elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to an epoxy resin formulation containing a curative that can be cured at 150° C. to 95% cure in no more than 150 seconds, and can be cured at 120° C. to 95% cure in no more than 4 minutes. This results in a cured resin having a Tg no greater than 140° C. wherein the formulation further contains a mould release agent.

Abstract: Preforms for use in molding composite parts are made directly from composite chips that are composed of fibers and an uncured thermosetting resin. Cold composite chips are formed into a stream of non-agglomerating chips that is used to fill the cavity of a preform tool. The non-agglomerating chips flow into the preform tool cavity to form a population of non-cohesive composite chips. The non-cohesive composite chips are then heated to form a preform made up of a consolidated population of cohesive composite chips in which the non-sticky uncured thermosetting resin of the non-cohesive chips has been converted to a sticky uncured thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibers and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Abstract: A resin composition for producing a composite part, comprising a first resin component comprising a glycidyl ether epoxy resin, a second resin component comprising a naphthalene based epoxy resin, and an amino-phenyl fluorene curative; wherein the epoxy resin components a) and b) contain up to 33 wt % of the second resin component.

Abstract: Semi-preg material is disclosed adapted for use in composite material comprising a) a first resin layer, b) covered on both side by layers of fibrous reinforcements whereby c) one of the two fabric layers is coated with a second resin layer and d) wherein said second resin layer has a tack level of not more than 100 N. Such semi-preg material has improved handling properties and contributes to the superior mechanical properties of the composite material formed therewith.

Abstract: A method of controlling a process for the manufacture of a multicomponent sheet material having a desired pre-determined parameter comprising applying an acoustic or an electromagnetic signal to interact with the sheet material whereby the interaction modifies the applied signal, detecting the modified signal, comparing the modified signal or data derived from it with data relating to the pre-determined parameter and modifying at least one step of the process whereby the data relating to the modified signal is modified towards the data relating to the pre-determined parameter.