Abstract: A saddle device for use with a mandrel is provided. The saddle comprises a bracket to keep a mandrel seated within the saddle facilitating unrolling and rewinding. The saddle of the present invention prevents a mandrel from exiting the saddle when material is wound about or unwound from the mandrel.

Abstract: A woven, stabilized fabric suitable for reinforcing resin matrices is provided. The fabric comprises a woven fabric of graphite, fiberglass, aramid, etc., in which a limited amount of a resin coated fiber is woven into one direction of the fabric. Prior to weaving, the resin coated fiber is initially coated with a resin such as an epoxy, polyimide, etc., followed by drying and then weaving into the fabric with as few picks as possible. When the fabric is heated, the resin coat melts and adheres to the fabric, and imparting stabilizing properties thereto. The stabilized fabric is then set up in a mold for resin impregnation, without undergoing undesirable movement.

Abstract: Rocket exit cones, rocket motors, curved objects, and the like, are produced by weaving a fabric onto a non linear form and rotating the form to wind up the fabric as it is being woven. Compensation between the linear, flat shape of the fabric and a non linear shape of the wind up form is obtained by conforming the shape of the reed portion of the loom to the shape of the form, and by providing a constant and/or variable spacing between the reed elements. A uniformly wrapped, non linear shape is is produced by the process.Following wrapping, the fabric shape is impregnated with resin, and cured to a carbonized and/or graphitized state. Finally, the cured shape may be machined to its desired size and contour, having uniform properties.

Abstract: Misaligned strands in a graphite fiber on tape are aligned and wound up on reels with a minimum of degradation by the steps of: separating the individual strands, diverging the strands, aligning the strands and winding the individual strands onto separate take-up reels in one continuous operation.Graphite fabric woven from the strands exhibit little or no degradation and have a uniform density and excellent physical properties. The alignment apparatus is inexpensive, simple to operate and occupies a relatively small space.