Abstract: An exemplary pultrusion mandrel of the invention comprises a first portion for arranging a fiber reinforcement substrate thereabout, a second portion having an elongated body and internal heater, and a resin injector system intermediate therebetween and having a plurality of resin injector ports integrally disposed at different angles for wetting inward surfaces of the substrate being formed. The mandrel is preferably used in conjunction with an external die. Also disclosed is an exemplary method for continuous pultrusion.

Abstract: Central is a nonstretchable, high strength thread that extends transverse to stretching, either of individual heat recoverable strands or of an embedding layer. The thread is either placed across plural heat recoverable strands, or plural threads are individually wrapped around the strands, or there is a plurality of helices on thermoplastic strings in a heat recoverable embedment, with further transverse high strength threads being interwoven with the helices.

Abstract: A drum is rotatably mounted next to a tool. Resin-preimpregnated filament tows are independently fed to the drum, through several collimating guides positioned along the drum. The drum operates reciprocally: when it rotates in one direction, segments of the tows are gathered or wound up onto the drum and preheated; upon counterrotation in the outer direction the gathered segments are unwound and forcibly compacted against the tool, or against previously laid filaments. In the gathering part of the operating cycle the drum does not translate with respect to the tool, but rather spins in place at a dwell point. In the depositing part of the cycle, however, the drum effectively rolls along the tool (or filament-pack) surface. Heat from the drum penetrates deeply into the pack of already laid filaments, when present, to facilitate generalized consolidation of the workpiece--enough in many cases to make autoclave postconsolidation unnecessary.

Abstract: A non-planar formed body of particulate insulating material is made by first compacting substantially inorganic non-fusible particulate insulating material to form a plane panel. Covering material such as glass cloth coated with a settable composition or thermoplastic material effectively comprising a settable composition, is disposed adjacent one or both faces of the plane panel, in a mould. The mould is then operated to form the panel into the desired non-planar form, and the settable composition is allowed to harden.

Abstract: A filter support tube manufacturing apparatus and method employing operative steps of drawing wire from a reel, and moving the wire, first, through a heater for heating the wire, second, through a fluidized bed for coating the wire with a corrosion resistant material which also serves as a bonding agent and, third, through a second heater. Then, the heated and coated wire is wound onto a rotating mandrel which holds straight plastic reinforcing strips about which the wire is wound. Once winding of the wire is completed and the wire is embedded in the plastic reinforcing strips, the wound wire is cut manually and removed from the mandrel. A new end of the wire extending from the reel is inserted in the mandrel and a new set of plastic strips are installed on the mandrel. Finally, the steps are repeated to make additional filter support tubes.