Abstract: Fixation of an artefact to a support means, such as of cement panels as exterior cladding for buildings, a reinforced plastics compressor blade or a ceramic turbine blade to a rotary hub member, or of an electric insulator of longitudinally reinforced plastics material to a transmission tower, the artefact being subject at least at times to longitudinal shear stresses, is effected through duplex fibre means, whereby the stresses are transferred to the support means through the duplex fibre means.

Abstract: Energy-absorption for a composite article is achieved by incorporation in the article of a load-bearing tubular element of ductile material which is bonded to another component of the article, the ductility of the element being such that the element deforms plastically at a part intermediate its ends when subjected to axial tensile stress less than the ultimate tensile strength of the element, the ductile material having deformation characteristics which cause the wall of the said part of the element to contract towards its longitudinal axis, thereby absorbing energy. An inner member may be provided to resist inwards continuation of the tubular element and the tubular element may be situated inside an outer sheath member. The said inner member and/or outer sheath member may be formed to elongate or break before the tubular element in response to the axial tensile stress.