Abstract: Core for a composite material sandwich panel, the core having a rectangular array of aligned elongate elements, composed of balsa wood, in a continuous matrix of a polymeric foam which has been moulded around the elements, wherein the elements each have a polygonal cross-section, the matrix filling voids between adjacent elements and bonding together the elements to form a unitary body and the array of elements extends between the opposite major surfaces in a thickness direction of the core and wherein woodgrain of the elements extends in the thickness direction.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite molding, the method comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a surfacing layer on a portion of a mold surface, the surfacing layer comprising a first resin material and being in the form of at least one solid sheet; (b) disposing at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material on the surfacing layer to provide, on the portion of the mold surface, an assembly of the surfacing layer and a structural layer comprising the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material; (c) applying a vacuum to the assembly; (d) infusing a flowable second resin material, under the vacuum, into the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material; and (e) curing the first and second resin materials to form the fiber-reinforced composite molding which comprises a surface portion formed from the surfacing layer laminated to a structural portion formed from the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material and the second resin material.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a fibre-reinforced composite moulding, the method comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a surfacing layer on a portion of a mould surface, the surfacing layer comprising a first resin material and being in the form of at least one solid sheet; (b) disposing at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material on the surfacing layer to provide, on the portion of the mould surface, an assembly of the surfacing layer and a structural layer comprising the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material; (c) applying a vacuum to the assembly; (d) infusing a flowable second resin material, under the vacuum, into the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material; and (e) curing the first and second resin materials to form the fibre-reinforced composite moulding which comprises a surface portion formed from the surfacing layer laminated to a structural portion formed from the at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material and the second resin material.