Abstract: Thermoplastic composite material structures comprise a multi-region thermoplastic surfacing film layer that further comprises first and second regions within the multi-region thermoplastic surfacing film layer having visually-detectable colors different from one another to facilitate surfacing film layer processing, and processing of the thermoplastic composite material stack.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced panel may include engaging a reinforcement component having a faying surface with a first portion of a heated press, engaging an uncured panel component with an opposing second portion of the press, the panel component having a faying surface complementarily-configured with respect to the faying surface of the reinforcement component, treating the faying surface of the reinforcement component such that the faying surface is active for co-bonding with respect to the panel component, actuating the press to direct the first and second portions of the press toward each other, such that the faying surfaces are complementarily engaged under pressure; and heating the first and second portions of the press to a curing temperature associated with the panel component to substantially simultaneously co-bond the faying surfaces of the reinforcement component and the panel component together, cure the panel component, and form the reinforced panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced panel may include engaging a reinforcement component having a faying surface with a first portion of a heated press, engaging an uncured panel component with an opposing second portion of the press, the panel component having a faying surface complementarily-configured with respect to the faying surface of the reinforcement component, treating the faying surface of the reinforcement component such that the faying surface is active for co-bonding with respect to the panel component, actuating the press to direct the first and second portions of the press toward each other, such that the faying surfaces are complementarily engaged under pressure; and heating the first and second portions of the press to a curing temperature associated with the panel component to substantially simultaneously co-bond the faying surfaces of the reinforcement component and the panel component together, cure the panel component, and form the reinforced panel.

Abstract: An aircraft includes external structures, and one or more thermal emitters integrated with one or more of the external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to generate heat to deice the one or more external structures. The one or more thermal emitters are configured to receive electrical power from one or more of an auxiliary power unit of the aircraft, a power distribution system of the aircraft, one or more engines of the aircraft, or an external power cart that is separate and distinct from the aircraft.

Abstract: Compositions including a polyamide, and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the composition are provided. The polyamide may be a reaction product of at least one diamine and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, a hydroxy benzoic acid, or their respective ester or acyl halide derivatives. The at least one diamine may include an amino terminated perfluorinated alkyl ether polymer or oligomer. The composition may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1K?1).

Abstract: Compositions including a polyimide and one or more thermally conductive fillers, and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the compositions are provided. The polyimide may be a polymeric reaction product of a dianhydride and one or more diamines. The one or more diamines may include a fluorine-containing alkyl ether diamine. The one or more thermally conductive fillers may include one or more of a carbon-based filler, boron nitride, a metal, or combinations thereof. The compositions may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1 K?1).

Abstract: Compositions including a poly(arylene ether), and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the composition are provided. The poly(arylene ether) may be a reaction product of at least one disubstituted benzophenone and at least one polyol. The at least one polyol may include at least one fluorinated diol. The composition may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1K?1).

Abstract: A method for laying up a composite material includes steps of (1) depositing the composite material onto a substrate; (2) compacting the composite material with a compaction roller, the compaction roller and the substrate defining a nip; and (3) projecting a plasma flume proximate the nip to heat at least one of the composite material and the substrate.

Abstract: Compositions including a poly(arylene ether), and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the composition are provided. The poly(arylene ether) may be a reaction product of at least one disubstituted benzophenone and at least one polyol. The at least one polyol may include at least one fluorinated diol. The composition may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1K?1).

Abstract: Compositions including a polyamide, and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the composition are provided. The polyamide may be a reaction product of at least one diamine and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, a hydroxy benzoic acid, or their respective ester or acyl halide derivatives. The at least one diamine may include an amino terminated perfluorinated alkyl ether polymer or oligomer. The composition may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1K?1).

Abstract: Compositions including a polyimide and one or more thermally conductive fillers, and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the compositions are provided. The polyimide may be a polymeric reaction product of a dianhydride and one or more diamines. The one or more diamines may include a fluorine-containing alkyl ether diamine. The one or more thermally conductive fillers may include one or more of a carbon-based filler, boron nitride, a metal, or combinations thereof. The compositions may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm?1 K?1).

Abstract: A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced panel may include engaging a reinforcement component having a faying surface with a first portion of a heated press, engaging an uncured panel component with an opposing second portion of the press, the panel component having a faying surface complementarily-configured with respect to the faying surface of the reinforcement component, treating the faying surface of the reinforcement component such that the faying surface is active for co-bonding with respect to the panel component, actuating the press to direct the first and second portions of the press toward each other, such that the faying surfaces are complementarily engaged under pressure; and heating the first and second portions of the press to a curing temperature associated with the panel component to substantially simultaneously co-bond the faying surfaces of the reinforcement component and the panel component together, cure the panel component, and form the reinforced panel.

Abstract: A method for plasma treating a surface of a first substrate is disclosed. The method may comprise generating a plasma flume using a plasma treatment device having a nozzle. The plasma flume may emanate through a flume aperture of the nozzle at an emanation angle of about 5 degrees or less. The emanation angle may be defined as an angle between a central axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the flume aperture. The method may further comprise plasma treating the surface of the first substrate with the plasma flume by scanning the plasma flume over the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate may be one of a consolidated thermoplastic material and a cured thermoset material.

Abstract: A system for treating a surface and applying adhesive to an already treated portion of the surface concurrently is presented. The system comprises surface treatment equipment, adhesive application equipment, and a common feed system. The surface treatment equipment is configured to treat the surface of an elongated member. The adhesive application equipment is configured to apply adhesive to the already treated portion of the surface. The common feed system feeds the elongated member beneath the surface treatment equipment and the adhesive application equipment concurrently.

Abstract: A system for treating a surface and applying adhesive to an already treated portion of the surface concurrently is presented. The system comprises surface treatment equipment, adhesive application equipment, and a common feed system. The surface treatment equipment is configured to treat the surface of an elongated member. The adhesive application equipment is configured to apply adhesive to the already treated portion of the surface. The common feed system feeds the elongated member beneath the surface treatment equipment and the adhesive application equipment concurrently.

Abstract: A gas containment apparatus for use with an end effector including at least one plasma head includes at least one enclosing structure coupled to the end effector. The enclosing structure is configured to capture a gas produced by the at least one plasma head. The gas containment apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the at least one enclosing structure and configured to channel the gas from within the enclosing structure.

Abstract: A gas containment apparatus for use with an end effector including at least one plasma head includes at least one enclosing structure coupled to the end effector. The enclosing structure is configured to capture a gas produced by the at least one plasma head. The gas containment apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the at least one enclosing structure and configured to channel the gas from within the enclosing structure.

Abstract: Adhesion testing systems, methods of fabrication, and methods of testing are disclosed. Test systems include test coupons with non-metallic test adherends. Test coupons are configured to test bonds to the non-metallic test adherends under peeling stress and/or shearing stress. Test methods are simplified and rapid as compared to standard adhesion tests and include methods of accelerated environmental testing. Test methods also are adapted for qualitative and quantitative measurement of bond performance.

Abstract: Adhesion testing systems, methods of fabrication, and methods of testing are disclosed. Test systems include test coupons with non-metallic test adherends. Test coupons are configured to test bonds to the non-metallic test adherends under peeling stress and/or shearing stress. Test methods are simplified and rapid as compared to standard adhesion tests and include methods of accelerated environmental testing. Test methods also are adapted for qualitative and quantitative measurement of bond performance.