Abstract: Methods for improving the erosion resistance of composite airfoils are disclosed as are the resultant structures. Wire mesh materials are coated with an erosion-resistant coating, formed to the shape of the airfoil leading edge, and molded into the leading edge during airfoil fabrication.

Abstract: A substantially microcrack- and blister-free composite can be made by drying an addition-type polyimide molding compound under suitable conditions to remove excess moisture. The molding compound includes a mixture of a polyimide resin and a plurality of carbon reinforcing fibers less than 3 mm long. The molding compound is placed into a heated material reservoir and transferred to a heated molding tool with a heated transfer ram. The ram establishes a molding pressure in a mold cavity in the molding tool sufficient to cure the molding compound into the desired composite. The molding compound is transferred to the mold cavity such that the molding compound is heated to a molding temperature at a rate of at least about 85.degree. C./min. The molding pressure and temperature are maintained in the mold cavity for a time sufficient to cure the molding compound into the desired composite.

Abstract: A composite article includes a compressively stressed plating which provides increased static strength and fatigue life. In particular, a fan exit guide vane (1), made of a graphite fiber reinforced composite material and including a conductive plating (7), achieves a 380% increase in static load capability over an unplated composite vane and a low cycle fatigue life of over 1 million cycles through the application of a compressively stressed nickel plating (8) which produces a residual compressive stress state of between -5,000 and -15,000 psi.

Abstract: A threadlocking composition for mating threaded fasteners utilizes an epoxy resin system with a component adapted to effect dispersion of lubricants or other organic films on the mating threaded surfaces to thereby improve the threadlocking capabilities thereof without requiring pretreatment. The threadlocking composition comprises an epoxy resin, an amine hardener therefor and 1-25 percent of an aminoalcohol compound which is soluble in the resin/hardener system and wherein the amine and hydroxyl groups are disposed on a carbon chain and on different carbon atoms of that chain. In using the composition, it is placed upon the threads of at least one of the cooperating members which are then assembled and allowed to remain so assembled to produce curing of the epoxy composition. Pretreatment of the fastener surfaces is not required. At the end of three hours, this results in an increase in the torque required for disassembly to a level equal to at least 75 percent of the torque required for assembly.