Abstract: A method for forming a reservoir made of a composite material includes a tubular element, two end fittings, each inserted into one end of the tubular element, and a circumferential layer that envelops the tubular element and the end fittings. The circumferential layer is made of resin-impregnated wound fibers. At least one segment of each end fitting has an outwardly tapering shape and the wall has a taper at each end, and thus at each end the wall is pressed against the segment surface having a tapering shape. The tubular element includes a plastic tube surrounded by a longitudinal layer essentially made of parallel fibers in a resin matrix, the parallel fibers being oriented along the longitudinal axis of the plastic tube. The circumferential layer is essentially made of fibers wound around the circumference of the tubular element and end fittings and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A reservoir made of a composite material includes a tubular element, two end fittings, each inserted into one end of the tubular element, and a circumferential layer that envelops the tubular element and the end fittings. The circumferential layer is made of resin-impregnated wound fibers. At least one segment of each end fitting has an outwardly tapering shape and the wall of the tubular element has a taper at each end, and thus at each end the wall is pressed against the segment surface having a tapering shape. The tubular element includes a plastic tube surrounded by a longitudinal layer essentially made of parallel fibers in a resin matrix, the parallel fibers being oriented along the longitudinal axis of the plastic tube. Finally, the circumferential layer is essentially made of fibers wound around the circumference of the tubular element and end fittings and parallel to each other.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a continuous pipe from thermoplastic materials are provided. The methods include the steps of providing an endless mandrel having a releasable surface, the endless mandrel configured for rotation, forming an inner liner layer on the releasable surface of the endless mandrel, forming an intermediate layer on the inner liner layer, forming an outer layer on the intermediate layer, thereby forming a continuous pipe and cutting the continuous pipe into segments. The method is characterized in that the inner liner layer is made of a thermoplastic material, the intermediate layer is made of commingled thermoplastic material and glass fiber reinforcement material, and the outer layer is made of a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a complex for resin impregnation includes the production of a sheet having at least one layer of a fibrous reinforcing structure and a layer of a thickening material that considerably thickens the sheet, the layers associated in a juxtaposed manner. The process also includes needle bonding of the sheet on the side of the fibrous reinforcing structure by means of barbed needles. The barbed needles pass through at least the layer of a fibrous reinforcing structure and at least partially through the layer of thickening material. The needles move in the direction of the sheet at essentially the same speed as the sheet when they pass through it, with an impact density ranging from 1 to 25 impacts per cm2. The invention also relates to the complex made by the process and to a composite material obtained by impregnation of the complex. The invention makes faster impregnation of the complex possible during manufacture of the composite.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mat, including: a) deposition or projection of threads onto a traveling belt to form a lap of the threads that are driven by the belt, then b) needling by bearded needles passing through the lap and being displaced in the direction of the lap at substantially the same speed as that when they pass through the lap, with a stroke density ranging from 1 to 25 strokes per cm2. By the method the mat obtained can easily be deformed by hand to be placed in a mold for manufacture of a composite material by injection of resin (RTM). The mat may also be incorporated into a preimpregnated sheet (SMC) and be molded under pressure.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mat, including: a) deposition or projection of threads onto a traveling belt to form a lap of the threads that are driven by the belt, then b) needling by bearded needles passing through the lap and being displaced in the direction of the lap at substantially the same speed as that when they pass through the lap, with a stroke density ranging from 1 to 25 strokes per cm2. By the method the mat obtained can easily be deformed by hand to be placed in a mold for manufacture of a composite material by injection of resin (RTM). The mat may also be incorporated into a preimpregnated sheet (SMC) and be molded under pressure.

Abstract: A method for filling a receiver with expanded fibers includes the steps of feeding at least one bundle of fibers from at least one roving; introducing the at least one bundle into a portable tool having a manual gripping element, a spray nozzle, an air supply device connected for supplying air to the nozzle, an extraction system configured to hold the at least one bundle and feed the at least one bundle to the nozzle, and an inlet guide positioned to guide the at least one bundle to the extraction system; and using the air supply device to expand the fibers of the at least one bundle in said spray nozzle, and spray the expanded fibers into the receiver.

Abstract: A hollow composite body includes a thermoplastic internal layer as a liner, a thermoplastic interlayer with embedded reinforcing fibers, and a thermoplastic external layer. The hollow body is made by furnishing the liner as a preform; introducing the preform into a mold, an inflatable bladder having been inserted into the preform; heating the preform and inflating the bladder to apply pressure against the internal wall of the preform. A space between the external wall of the preform and the internal wall of the mold is tailored to the thickness of the external layer of the hollow body to be obtained, so as to allow migration of the thermoplastic of the interlayer, and possible of the liner, beyond the interlayer.

Abstract: Method for sealing a bared section (10) in the wall of a hollow body based on a thermoplastic and on reinforcing fibers, the hollow body being especially intended for conveying or containing a pressurized fluid. The surface and the contours of the section (10) are coated with a protective thermoplastic (30) which is heated while it is being deposited and is compatible with the said thermoplastic of the hollow body in order to achieve complete adhesion.

Abstract: A method for filling a receiver with expanded fibers includes the steps of feeding at least one bundle of fibers from at least one roving; introducing the at least one bundle into a portable tool having a manual gripping element, a spray nozzle, an air supply device connected for supplying air to the nozzle, an extraction system configured to hold the at least one bundle and feed the at least one bundle to the nozzle, and an inlet guide positioned to guide the at least one bundle to the extraction system; and using the air supply device to expand the fibers of the at least one bundle in said spray nozzle, and spray the expanded fibers into the receiver.

Abstract: Method for sealing a bared section (10) in the wall of a hollow body based on a thermoplastic and on reinforcing fibers, the hollow body being especially intended for conveying or containing a pressurized fluid. The surface and the contours of the section (10) are coated with a protective thermoplastic (30) which is heated while it is being deposited and is compatible with the said thermoplastic of the hollow body in order to achieve complete adhesion.

Abstract: A hollow composite body includes an internal layer formed from a thermoplastic, which constitutes the liner of the body, a composite interlayer formed from a thermoplastic in which reinforcing fibers are embedded, and an external layer formed from a thermoplastic. The hollow composite body is made by furnishing the external surface of the liner with a composite so as to constitute a preform, the composite consisting of a thermoplastic mixed with reinforcing fibers; introducing the preform into a mold, an inflatable bladder having been inserted into the preform; heating the preform and inflating the inside of the bladder in order to apply pressure against the internal wall of the preform.