Abstract: A method of manufacture of a composite component is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing two layers of pre-preg composite material, one of which has an edge adjacent a surface of the other. Pressure and, optionally, vibrational energy is applied to the edge to thereby smooth the ply drop.

Abstract: A curative resin containing at least 50 wt % of an epoxy phenolic resin comprising a mixture of a carboxylic hydrazide and a hydroxy substituted urone.

Abstract: Process for forming a permanent join between two sections of fibrous material contained in a thermosetting resin matrix, said process comprising overlaying the two sections and subjecting the overlaid sections to ultrasonic welding to form a permanent join between the two sections, wherein there is no significant change in the sub-ambient Tg of the fibrous material contained in the thermosetting resin matrix in the region of the permanent join.

Abstract: Formulations comprising from 10 to 80% by weight of the formulation of a halogenated epoxy resin; from 1 to 15% by weight of the formulation of an antimony based fire retardant; from 1 to 10% by weight of the formulation of an inorganic or non-polymeric organic phosphorous containing fire retardant; and from 1 to 30% by weight of the formulation of a curative system are provided. The formulations are particularly suitable for producing aircraft interior composite components having good fire retarding properties, low smoke emission, low smoke toxicity and low heat release properties. The formulations also have excellent processing and mechanical properties. Further components may be included in the compositions to improve various properties, including the fire retarding, low smoke emission, low smoke toxicity and low heat release properties and to also further improve the processing and mechanical properties, including toughness.

Abstract: A curative system comprising a combination of adipic acid dihydrazide and/or isophthalic dihydrazide and a clathrate in which the guest compound of the clathrate comprises an imidazole, an imidazoline or diazabicycloalkanes (DBCA).

Abstract: This invention relates to a resin composition. The resin composition comprises a first polyfunctional epoxy component (i) comprising an epoxy resin based on a alkylol alkane triglycidyl ether monomer, and a second component, (ii) comprising an epoxy resin. The composition further comprise a third component, (iii) comprising a hydrazide based curative in combination with either (a) a urone based curative or (b) an imidazole based curative or both.

Abstract: A reinforcing composite comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing composite material forming a stack wherein at least one layer of the stack comprises a moulding compound (114) comprising consolidated resin impregnated fiber elements, wherein the resin impregnated fiber elements are obtained from off-cuts or scrap material (112) derived from cutting single layers of reinforcing composite material and/or stacks comprising multiple layers of reinforcing composite material (110).

Abstract: This invention relates to a curative composition and its use in curing epoxy resins and prepregs, adhesives and moulded materials derived therefrom. The curative composition comprises a clathrate comprising a host component and a guest component, the host comprising a carboxylic acid or ester compounds as defined or phenolphthalin and the guest comprising an imidazole or imidazoline component.

Abstract: Treating an uncured resin matrix composition to impart energy to the resin matrix composition enables a stable Tg to be achieved whereby the resin matrix composition may be stored and has a low tack enabling subsequent processing and handling. The invention provides a method of achieving a stable Tg without the resin matrix composition starting to cure and a method of determining the treatment regime by which a resin matrix composition with a stable Tg may be obtained. The resin matrix composition may be fresh or reused uncured resin matrix composition and may contain fibrous reinforcement.

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: 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: A mould for the production of articles comprising a cavity for the retention of a fibrous material impregnated with a curable resin defined by a top, a base (1) and side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) and an internal insert (2) having sectional walls that can move independently of each other in order to exert pressure on the fibrous material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate material (132) for the manufacture of composite components, having a prepreg layer (116) and an interleaving layer (120) made up of at least two sections of thermally joined thermoplastic interleaving material sections (120a, 120b). The invention also relates to a method of manufacture of such an intermediate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate curing component for a thermosetting resin, the particulate curing component comprising particles of a solid resin, wherein a curative for the thermosetting resin is dispersed within the particles of solid resin. The invention also relates to methods of forming particulate curing components and compositions comprising particulate curing components.

Abstract: There is provide a process for unwinding material from a spool (2) wherein the angle (?) of take off at the first contact point (4) for the unwind is always in the range 0±20°, and wherein the first contact point (4) for the unwind is no more than 600 mm from the axis (3) of rotation of the spool (2). There is also provided an apparatus for the unwinding of material from a spool (2) comprising an axis (3) upon which a spool (2) may be rotatably mounted and a static first contact point (4) for the unwound material positioned no more than 600 mm from the centre of the axis (3), wherein the angle (?) of take off at the first contact point (4) for the unwind is always in the range 0±20°.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a prepreg (31) comprising reinforcement fibre (13) impregnated with a thermosetting resin matrix (20), said process comprising: a) providing a layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13); b) applying a layer (24) of a first thermosetting resin matrix (20) to the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) and bringing the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) into contact with the support surface (5) of a first continuous belt (3), so that the layer (24) of first thermosetting resin matrix (20) is positioned between, and in contact with, the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) and the support surface (5) of the first continuous belt (3); c) heating the layer (24) of first thermosetting resin matrix (20) applied to the first surface (15) of the layer (24) of reinforcement fibre (13) in contact with the support surface (5) of the first continuous belt (3); d) bringing the second surface (17) of the

Abstract: There is provided a curative system for epoxy resins comprising an alkyl benzene diamine and an additional aromatic amine.

Abstract: The present invention defines a pultrusion apparatus. The apparatus comprises a portion for receiving fibres, a portion for injecting resin into the fibres, a portion for impregnating the resin injected fibres, and a portion for shaping the impregnated fibres, wherein the fibres, following their passage through the receiving portion, converge in the resin injection portion to receive the resin and the resin flows outwards following injection as the fibres progress from the injection portion through the impregnation portion.

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer are located within the interleaf zones of a preform or prepreg. The structured thermoplastic polymer is a film or membrane formed by: a) dissolving polyethersulfone or polyetherimide in a solvent to form a polymer dope; b) dispersing a curing agent for an epoxy resin in the polymer dope to form a curative-enriched polymer dope; c) casting the curative-enriched polymer dope onto a surface to form a dope layer; and d) removing the solvent from the dope layer to form a layer of structured thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A fiber tow spreading apparatus comprising: fiber supply for supplying a fiber tow; a fiber spreader for spreading the filaments of the fiber tow to form a spread tow having an increased width; a guide member for directing the fiber tow in relation to the fiber spreader; a driver for driving the fiber tow in relation to the fiber spreader; wherein the driver comprises a moveable contacting surface to which the fiber is adhered.