Abstract: Thermosetting resins are provided that are toughened with an irradiated thermoplastic toughening agent and which have reduced levels of solvent-induced micro crack formation. The thermoplastic toughening agent is treated with a sufficient amount of high-energy radiation (e.g. electron beam or gamma rays) to cause a reduction in solvent-induced micro crack formation in the cured resin when compared to the same toughened thermosetting resin in which the non-irradiated version of the thermoplastic toughening agent is used.

Abstract: A resin composition comprising: (i) one or more polymerisable liquid thermoset resin components; (ii) optionally one or more curing agents for said one or more polymerisable liquid resin components; and (iii) at least one gelator, wherein said gelator interacts within said composition to form a gel at ambient temperatures, said gel being thermally reversible such that the gelled composition can undergo a transition from the gelled state to a state of lower viscosity when the composition is treated to facilitate the cure of said polymerisable resin component.

Abstract: Moulding material that includes a layer of fibrous reinforcing material having one surface on which a first layer of a resin partially impregnates the fibrous material and a further resin layer located on the opposite surface which retains in position surface fibers of the fibrous material. The further resin layer is of lower weight than the first layer and is formed as an openwork structure with a solid part and spaces through which the fibrous material is exposed.

Abstract: A fire resistant laminate for application to a core structure (12) to form a sandwich panel (10) having fire resistant face sheets (14 & 16). The laminate includes a fire protection (18) in which at least one layer of fibers (22) is embedded within a cured inorganic polymer matrix (24). The laminate further includes an adhesive layer (20) for bonding to the core structure.