Abstract: A permeable LSP material that can be incorporated into a resin infusion process such as RTM and VaRTM. This permeable LSP material may be in the form of an elongated or continuous tape that can be used in an automated placement process such as ATL and AFP. In one embodiment, the permeable LSP material includes at least the following components: (a) a nonwoven veil of randomly arranged fibers; (b) a porous electrically conductive layer having openings through its thickness; and (c) a resin material distributed, in a non-continuous manner, throughout the nonwoven veil 11 and between the nonwoven veil and the porous conductive layer. The permeable LSP material can be brought into contact with a dry preform, followed by resin infusion and curing to form a hardened composite part having the LSP material integrated therein.

Abstract: A thermoset resin composition and composite materials containing reinforcement fibers impregnated with the thermoset resin composition. The thermoset resin composition contains: (a) a combination of multifunctional epoxy resins; (b) 4,4?-meth-ylenebis(2,6-xylidine) as a curative for the epoxy resins; and (c) a thermoplastic component, wherein the thermoset resin composition is void of any catalyst or accelerator that is reactive with the epoxy resins.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting hybrid veil that is permeable to liquid and gas. The hybrid veil includes: (a) intermingled, randomly arranged fibres in the form of a nonwoven structure; (b) particles dispersed throughout the nonwoven structure, wherein a majority of the particles are penetrating through the thickness of the nonwoven structure; and (c) a polymeric or resinous binder present throughout the veil. Such hybrid veil can be incorporated into composite laminates, prepregs, fabrics and fibrous preforms.

Abstract: A composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting hybrid veil that is permeable to liquid and gas. The hybrid veil includes: (a) intermingled, randomly arranged fibres in the form of a nonwoven structure; (b) particles dispersed throughout the nonwoven structure, wherein a majority of the particles are penetrating through the thickness of the nonwoven structure; and (c) a polymeric or resinous binder present throughout the veil. Such hybrid veil can be incorporated into composite laminates, prepregs, fabrics and fibrous preforms.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stitching yarn and non-crimp fabrics containing such yarn. The stitching yarn described herein is a multifilament stitching yarn characterized by two or more of the following properties: (a) comprises a plurality of polymeric fibers, (b) has a linear density of less than or equal to 80 dtex, (c) has a filament count of less than or equal to 0.8 times the dtex value of the stitching yarn, or (d) has a twist of less than 200 revolutions per meter (r/m). The present disclosure also relates to a fiber preform, composite material, and composite article containing the non-crimp fabric.

Abstract: A fire retardant veil (10) composed of intermingled, randomly arranged fibres and fire retardant particles (11) dispersed throughout the nonwoven structure of the veil (10). The veil (10) further includes a small amount of a polymeric or resinous binder for binding the fibres and the particles together. Such fire retardant veil (10) can be incorporated into composite laminates, prepregs, and fibrous preforms (12) configured for liquid resin infusion.

Abstract: A permeable LSP material that can be incorporated into a resin infusion process such as RTM and VaRTM. This permeable LSP material may be in the form of an elongated or continuous tape that can be used in an automated placement process such as ATL and AFP. In one embodiment, the permeable LSP material includes at least the following components: (a) a nonwoven veil of randomly arranged fibers; (b) a porous electrically conductive layer having openings through its thickness; and (c) a resin material distributed, in a non-continuous manner, throughout the nonwoven veil 11 and between the nonwoven veil and the porous conductive layer. The permeable LSP material can be brought into contact with a dry preform, followed by resin infusion and curing to form a hardened composite part having the LSP material integrated therein.

Abstract: A liquid binder composition for binding fibrous materials in the fabrication of resin-infusible preform is disclosed. The binder composition is an aqueous dispersion containing (a) one or more multifunctional epoxy resins, (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer, (c) one or more surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof, (d) water, and is essentially free of organic solvents. Also disclosed is an emulsification process for producing the liquid binder composition.

Abstract: A dry, fibrous tape for use in an automated placement process such as ATL or AFP and a preform produced therefrom. The preform is configured for resin infusion. The tape contains a layer of unidirectional fibers, at least one nonwoven veil bonded to one side of the fiber layer, and at least binding materials present within the tape. The preform produced from laying down such tape exhibits a low-bulk property that is close to the final thickness of the cured fiber-reinforced resin article and no further consolidation or compaction is required.

Abstract: A curable composite material having high z-direction electrical conductivity. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement carbon fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing at least conductive nano-sized particles, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and a light-weight carbon veil. According to another embodiment, the interlaminar region further contains polymeric toughening particles. Methods for fabricating composite materials and structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material that includes a layer of reinforcing fibres impregnated with a curable resin matrix and a plurality of electrically conductive composite particles positioned adjacent or in proximity to the reinforcing fibres. Each of the electrically conductive composite particles is composed of a conductive component and a polymeric component, wherein the polymeric component includes one or more polymers that are initially in a solid phase and are substantially insoluble in the curable resin, but is able to undergo at least partial phase transition to a fluid phase during a curing cycle of the composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: A composite material that includes a layer of reinforcing fibres impregnated with a curable resin matrix and a plurality of electrically conductive composite particles positioned adjacent or in proximity to the reinforcing fibers. Each of the electrically conductive composite particles is composed of a conductive component and a polymeric component, wherein the polymeric component includes one or more polymers that are initially in a solid phase and are substantially insoluble in the curable resin, but is able to undergo at least partial phase transition to a fluid phase during a curing cycle of the composite material.

Abstract: A curable composite material having high z-direction electrical conductivity. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement carbon fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing at least conductive nano-sized particles, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and a light-weight carbon veil. According to another embodiment, the interlaminar region further contains polymeric toughening particles. Methods for fabricating composite materials and structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of a composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s), one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A), one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor, wherein said process comprises mixing or dispersing a first composition comprising one or more conductive nano-filler(s) and one or more polyarylethersulphone thermoplastic polymer(s) (A) with or into one or more uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P), and optionally one or more curing agent(s) therefor.

Abstract: A curable composite material having high z-direction electrical conductivity. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement carbon fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing at least conductive nano-sized particles, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and a light-weight carbon veil. According to another embodiment, the interlaminar region further contains polymeric toughening particles. Methods for fabricating composite materials and structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting hybrid veil that is permeable to liquid and gas. The hybrid veil includes: (a) intermingled, randomly arranged fibres in the form of a nonwoven structure; (b) particles dispersed throughout the nonwoven structure, wherein a majority of the particles are penetrating through the thickness of the nonwoven structure; and (c) a polymeric or resinous binder present throughout the veil. Such hybrid veil can be incorporated into composite laminates, prepregs, fabrics and fibrous preforms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, self-supporting fibrous material, the fibers of which have been treated with a binder composition. The fibrous material can be slit into tapes or tows that are suitable for use in an Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. This fibrous material is suitable for forming preforms which are configured to receive a matrix resin by resin infusion in the manufacturing of structural composite parts.

Abstract: A composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.