Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous fibrous tape comprising a substantially planar sheet of natural fibres of length Li. The sheet has a longitudinal dimension L and a transverse dimension w. The sheet comprises planar units positioned in n longitudinal lines. The planar units of adjoining longitudinal lines are misaligned by a misalignment distance Lv, with Lv being at least 3 w/n. Furthermore if the misalignment distance Lv between planar units of a first longitudinal line and the planar units of a second longitudinal line is less than 3 w/n, then there are at least two longitudinal lines positioned between the first longitudinal line and the second longitudinal line. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a continuous fibrous tape and to the use of such a continuous fibrous tape to manufacture a composite article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous fibrous tape comprising a substantially planar sheet of natural fibres of length Li. The sheet has a longitudinal dimension L and a transverse dimension w. The sheet comprises planar units positioned in n longitudinal lines. The planar units of adjoining longitudinal lines are misaligned by a misalignment distance Lv, with Lv being at least 3 w/n. Furthermore if the misalignment distance Lv between planar units of a first longitudinal line and the planar units of a second longitudinal line is less than 3 w/n, then there are at least two longitudinal lines positioned between the first longitudinal line and the second longitudinal line. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a continuous fibrous tape and to the use of such a continuous fibrous tape to manufacture a composite article.

Abstract: The present invention provides silk fibre reinforced composite materials comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix, which are relatively light, whilst having a high impact resistance. The silk fibre reinforced composite materials of the present invention allow for an optimal dissipation of the impact energy such that they have a penetration resistance higher than 20 J per mm of plate thickness, more preferably more than 30 J per mm, most preferably more than 40 J per mm. Due to the high impact resistance of the fibrous composite material according to the present invention, panels or shells comprising such composites are particularly useful for the manufacture of objects, which in the course of their life cycle are subject to shocks or at risk of penetration.