Abstract: Composite material that contain epoxy resin which is toughened and strengthened with thermoplastic materials and a blend insoluble particles. The uncured matrix resins include an epoxy resin component, a soluble thermoplastic component, a curing agent and an insoluble particulate component composed of elastic particles and rigid particles. The uncured resin matrix is combined with a fibrous reinforcement and cured/molded to form composite materials that may be used for structural applications, such as primary structures in aircraft.

Abstract: A prepreg comprising resin and at least one fibre layer and further comprising an electrically insulating layer and an electrically conducting layer is provided, and particularly wherein the conductive layer is at or near the top surface, beneath that is the insulating layer and beneath that is a fibre/resin interleaf structure.

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 resin material is provided which comprises at least one thermoset resin, carbon conductive additive material, and at least one thermoplastic polymer resin. The thermoplastic polymer resin dissolves in the thermoset polymer resin and phase separates upon cure. There is also provided a method of making the resin material, and additionally a composite material that comprising said resin material in combination with a fibrous reinforcement. The resin material and composite material may each be used in an uncured or cured form, and may find particular use as a prepreg material.

Abstract: A composite material comprising at least one polymeric resin and optionally at least one fibrous reinforcement, where the polymeric resin comprises; at least one difunctional epoxy resin; and at least one epoxy resin with a functionality greater than two having at least one meta-substituted phenyl ring in its backbone.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be molded to form composite parts that have high levels of both strength and damage tolerance without causing any substantial negative impact upon the physical or chemical characteristics of the uncured prepreg or cured part. This is achieved by including in the matrix resin a substantial amount of a multifunctional aromatic epoxy resin that has at least one phenyl group that is meta-substituted.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.

Abstract: A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.

Abstract: A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.

Abstract: A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.

Abstract: A method for making a pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided. The prepreg can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.

Abstract: A resin composition that is storable at ambient temperatures. The resin composition forms a cured resin when exposed to a curing agent and heated to a curing temperature that is relatively close to ambient temperature. The resin composition includes a crystalline resin component that is sandwiched between two non-crystalline resin components to provide a zone that is rich in crystalline thermosetting resin. The crystalline thermosetting resin has a melting point that is above ambient temperature, but below the curing temperature. The viscosity of the resin component changes from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state when the temperature is increased from ambient temperature to the curing temperature.

Abstract: Use of a resin system for making a composite material in a liquid moulding process. The resin system comprises an epoxy component and at least one curing agent, and at least 35 wt. % of the epoxy component is one or more naphthalene based epoxy resin. There is also provided a cured composite material, and a method of making the cured composite material in a liquid moulding process which comprises placing fibre reinforcement and the resin system in a mould and curing. The resin system and the methods of making a cured composite material are particularly applicable to liquid moulding processed such as resin trans moulding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), Seeman composite resin infusion moulding (SCRIMP), resin infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT), and liquid resin infusion (LRI).

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 composite material, the composite material comprising a prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one conductive fibrous reinforcement, electrically conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin and a top layer of a metal-coated carbon fibre comprising a further resin component, wherein the metal comprises one or more metals selected from nickel, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, indium and silver.

Abstract: The invention provides a prepreg comprising matrix and fibres, having deposited thereon a plurality of regions raised at least 5 micrometres relative to the surface of the matrix, a method of preparing such a prepreg, a method of curing a laminate of a plurality of such preprags and the cured laminate produced by such a method.

Abstract: A resin composition that is storable at ambient temperatures. The resin composition forms a cured resin when exposed to a curing agent and heated to a curing temperature that is relatively close to ambient temperature. The resin composition includes a crystalline resin component that is sandwiched between two non-crystalline resin components to provide a zone that is rich in crystalline thermosetting resin. The crystalline thermosetting resin has a melting point that is above ambient temperature, but below the curing temperature. The viscosity of the resin component changes from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state when the temperature is increased from ambient temperature to the curing temperature.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition comprising an epoxy resin component combined with a sufficient amount of an imidazole curative to provide curing of the epoxy resin composition. The epoxy resin composition further includes a non-hydroxyl containing cure accelerator for the imidazole curative.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.