Abstract: Fiber reinforced plastic tubing is formed by an innermost layer of braided strands that include longitudinal stud fill strands within the braid, a second layer of longitudinal strands, and a third layer of braided strands, all thoroughly encased in a monolithic mass of plastic matrix material that is not, itself, divided into layers. The tube is fabricated on a continuous basis by winding two sets of strands in opposite directions on a mandrel and braiding the two sets with each other and with stud fill strands that prevent that first layer of braid from stretching longitudinally and thereby tightening immovably on the mandrel. The strands are braided dry but are wetted with liquid plastic matrix material as the braid is compacted on the mandrel.

Abstract: A plastic bearing is provided, as well as a method of fabricating these bearings, in which a number of strands of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene fibers are woven about a cylindrical mandrel to form a fabric about this mold surface. The fabric is then impregnated with a hardenable plastic. The plastic is hardened and the bearing is removed from the mold surface. The resulting plastic bearing has greatly improved wear resistance which permits new applications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber-reinforced plastic article having first, second, and third cylindrical portions is disclosed. A helical braid is applied along a first cylindrical portion as a first cylindrical sleeve which conforms to and encases the outside surface of said first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is passed through the filaments forming the braid and the braid is collapsed into a first, substantially flat, double-ply braided ribbon which is then wrapped about the outer surface of the second intersecting portion. The helical braid is again applied along the first cylindrical portion and a second braided ribbon is then wrapped about the outer surface of the third cylindrical portion. The fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is cured to produce the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for fabricating continuously a solidified elongated rod or hollow shapes of various geometric cross sections of fiber reinforced plastic having a smooth surface. A plurality of strand-like fibers are wetted with a liquid, heat-hardenable plastic, the fibers are collected together into a plastic-wetted bundle, the bundle is continuously, in intermittent steps, passed through an elongated die, the die being heated in sequential zones of progressively increasing temperature so as to harden the plastic by the time the bundle emerges in rod form from the die. The bundle is moved through the die intermittently, dwelling for a predetermined time at rest, then moved an incremental distance, permitted to dwell again, until the hardened bundle eventually emerges from the die. The various heated zones of the die serve to initiate and carry the hardening of the plastic to a predetermined point at which the bundle is moved and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A rigid plastic composite tube includes a first sleeve of helically braided metallic ribbons, a second sleeve engaged with the first sleeve either on the inside or outside thereof, the second sleeve being of helically braided fibrous strands, said sleeves being embedded in solid plastic material to form a unitary composite tubular structure.The method of this invention for fabricating such plastic composite tubes comprises the steps of braiding metallic ribbons and fibrous strands about an elongated form, conforming the ribbons to the shape of said form by tensioning the strands during the braiding thereof, impregnating the composite sleeve with liquid hardenable plastic, and then hardening the plastic thereby providing a solidified plastic composite sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for fabricating continuously a solidified elongated rod or hollow shapes of various geometric cross sections of fiber reinforced plastic having a smooth surface. A plurality of strand-like fibers are wetted with a liquid, heat-hardenable plastic, the fibers are collected together into a plastic-wetted bundle, the bundle is continuously, in intermittent steps, passed through an elongated die, the die being heated in sequential zones of progressively increasing temperature so as to harden the plastic by the time the bundle emerges in rod form from the die. The bundle is moved through the die intermittently, dwelling for a predetermined time at rest, then moved an incremental distance, permitted to dwell again, until the hardened bundle eventually emerges from the die. The various heated zones of the die serve to initiate and carry the hardening of the plastic to a predetermined point at which the bundle is moved and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for fabricating continuously a solified elongated rod or hollow shapes of various geometric cross sections of fiber reinforced plastic having a smooth surface. A plurality of strand-like fibers are wetted with a liquid, heat-hardenable plastic, the fibers are collected together into a plastic-wetted bundle, the bundle is continuously, in intermittent steps, passed through an elongated die, the die being heated in sequential zones of progressively increasing temperature so as to harden the plastic by the time the bundle emerges in rod form from the die. The bundle is moved through the die intermittently, dwelling for a predetermined time at rest, then moved an incremental distance, permitted to dwell again, until the hardened bundle eventually emerges from the die. The various heated zones of the die serve to initiate and carry the hardening of the plastic to a predetermined point at which the bundle is moved and the cycle is repeated.