Abstract: A moulding material which comprises: (a) a structural reinforcement layer comprising a fibrous reinforcement material optionally in combination with a second resin composition; and (b) a surface enhancing layer, for contacting a surface of a mould or tool, comprising a first non-woven fibre carrier in combination with a first resin composition containing a rheology modifier and a curing agent, wherein the first resin composition provides an external mould or tool-contacting surface of the moulding material. The moulding material can be cured to form a moulded article having a high quality surface finish that requires minimal preparation before painting and/or application in its intended use. The moulded article may be provided with sacrificial discontinuous indicator means to assist in uniform removal of a part of the surface enhancing layer of the moulded article for specific applications.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a moulding material comprising: a) A primary non-woven fibre layer; b) A secondary non-woven fibre layer, and c) A resin layer; wherein the resin layer bonds the secondary non-woven fibre layer to a first surface of the primary non-woven fibre layer, and the resin layer is exposed on the second surface of the primary non-woven layer.

Abstract: A moulding material which comprises: (a) a structural reinforcement layer comprising a fibrous reinforcement material optionally in combination with a second resin composition; and (b) a surface enhancing layer, for contacting a surface of a mould or tool, comprising a first non-woven fibre carrier in combination with a first resin composition containing a rheology modifier and a curing agent, wherein the first resin composition provides an external mould or tool-contacting surface of the moulding material. The moulding material can be cured to form a moulded article having a high quality surface finish that requires minimal preparation before painting and/or application in its intended use. The moulded article may be provided with sacrificial discontinuous indicator means to assist in uniform removal of a part of the surface enhancing layer of the moulded article for specific applications.

Abstract: A prepreg or semipreg precursor comprising a fibre reinforcement and a resin composition fused thereto, the resin composition containing at least one epoxy resin and a latent curing agent, wherein the epoxy resin and the latent curing agent form a solid phase at ambient temperature, the latent curing agent forming a discrete phase within the epoxy resin. The stabilized uncured resin composition and prepregs and semipregs incorporating the same are easy to handle, have desirable curing temperatures and show good outlife at ambient to mid range temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate curing component for a thermosetting resin, the particulate curing component comprising particles of a solid resin, wherein a curative for the thermosetting resin is dispersed within the particles of solid resin. The invention also relates to methods of forming particulate curing components and compositions comprising particulate curing components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate curing component for a thermosetting resin, the particulate curing component comprising particles of a solid resin, wherein a curative for the thermosetting resin is dispersed within the particles of solid resin. The invention also relates to methods of forming particulate curing components and compositions comprising particulate curing components.

Abstract: An improved surface finish on articles moulded from prepregs is obtained by providing a surface finishing film on the surface of the prepreg and a surface venting layer on the surface of the surface finishing film in which the finishing film comprises a flowable tacky resin and the venting layer contains perforations which allow passage of the resin through the venting layer to provide removable adhesion between the surface of the mould and the moulding composition during moulding.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising a layer of curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibres and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising a layer of curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibres and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibers and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Abstract: Semi-preg material is disclosed adapted for use in composite material comprising a) a first resin layer, b) covered on both side by layers of fibrous reinforcements whereby c) one of the two fabric layers is coated with a second resin layer and d) wherein said second resin layer has a tack level of not more than 100 N. Such semi-preg material has improved handling properties and contributes to the superior mechanical properties of the composite material formed therewith.

Abstract: (57) Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the production of wind turbine structures. In the process, a stack of prepregs is located inside a vacuum bag. Each of the prepregs comprises a mixture of fibrous reinforcement and from 20% to 85 wt % of an epoxy resin of EEW 150 to 1500 and containing from 0.5 to 10 wt % of a curing agent. The curing agent comprises a urea curing agent and an imidazole curing agent, and is free of dicyandiamide. The epoxy resin is cured by application of an externally applied temperature in the range 70° C. to 110° C. for a period of from 4 to 8 hours.

Abstract: This invention relates to a use of a non-woven thermoplastic resin in combination with a curable moulding material comprising a fibrous reinforcement material and a thermoset resin material by bringing the thermoplastic resin in contact with the curable moulding material during or following assembly of the moulding material. The thermoplastic resin has a melting point below the gel temperature of the thermoset resin material to reduce the void fraction and increase the ILSS of a cured moulding manufactured from said moulding material forming a laminate structure in comparison to a cured moulding manufactured from said moulding material in which the fabric is absent forming the laminate structure.

Abstract: Fast cure resin system comprise semisolid epoxy resins and finely divided curatives of particle size less than 25 microns. The resins are dry to the touch, can be readily combined with fibrous reinforcement to provide prepregs which can be rapidly cured in a short moulding cycle.

Abstract: A composite material assembly (1) comprises a) a surface enhancing layer (5) comprising at least one layer of fibers, having a length to width aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and b) a structural layer (7) comprising at least one reinforcing fiber and at least one polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A prepreg assembly comprising resin and fibers and comprising an uppermost curable resin surface layer such that when the assembly is cured, the uppermost surface layer has a sandability of at least 0.30 mg/cycle over 200 cycles, as measured according to ASTM D4060 using a Taber 5151 Abrasion Tester fitted with H18 wheels and a 1.0 kg weight is provided.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibres and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Abstract: A curable sheet-like composite material comprising curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibres, and comprising an outer backing layer having a shear-dependent rheology, whereby the backing layer exhibits essentially no flow at rest on the outer surface of the composite material and exhibits a viscous flow response to induced shear.

Abstract: A prepreg assembly comprising resin and fibres and comprising an uppermost curable resin surface layer such that when the assembly is cured, the uppermost surface layer has a sandability of at least 0.30 mg/cycle over 200 cycles, as measured according to ASTM D4060 using a Taber 5151 Abrasion Tester fitted with H18 wheels and a 1.0 kg weight is provided.

Abstract: Semi-preg material is disclosed adapted for use in composite material comprising a) a first resin layer, b) covered on both side by layers of fibrous reinforcements whereby c) one of the two fabric layers is coated with a second resin layer and d) wherein said second resin layer has a tack level of not more than 100 N. Such semi-preg material has improved handling properties and contributes to the superior mechanical properties of the composite material formed therewith.