Abstract: A flexible polymer element for a curable composition wherein the flexible polymer element is in solid phase and adapted to undergo at least partial phase transition to fluid phase on contact with a component of the curable composition in which it is soluble at a temperature which is less than the temperature for substantial onset of gelling and/or curing of the curable composition; a method for the preparation thereof, a support structure or carrier for a curable composition comprising the at least one flexible polymer element together with reinforcing fibres, configurations of support structures and carriers, methods for preparation thereof, a curable composition comprising the at least one flexible polymer element or the support structure or carrier and a curable resin matrix, a kit of parts comprising the components thereof and a method for selection thereof, a method for preparation and curing thereof, and a cured composite or resin body obtained thereby, and known and novel uses thereof.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising chains of at least one aromatic polymer or a mixture thereof together with at least one chain linking component wherein the at least one aromatic polymer comprises polymer chains of number average molecular weight (Mn) in a first range and characterised by a polymer flow temperature, and having at least one reactive end group, and wherein the at least one chain linking component comprises at least two linking sites, characterised in that a plurality of the polymer chain end groups are adapted to react with the linking sites at chain linking temperature in excess of the polymer flow temperature to form linked polymer chains of number average molecular weight (Mn) in a second range which is in excess of the first range, substantially thermoplastic in nature; process for the preparation thereof; prepreg, composite or shaped product obtained therewith and the use thereof.

Abstract: A curable moulding composition in the form of a flowable particulate solid substantially non self-adhesive at temperatures up to 60.degree. C., flowable under shear and self-adhesive at temperatures in the range 60.degree.-150.degree. C. and hardenable at temperature over 150.degree. C., said composition comprising an uncured or partly cured thermoset resin precursor and, mixed intimately therewith, a polyarylsulphone containing the repeating units (Ph SO.sub.2 Ph).sub.n and Ph.sup.1.sub.a linked through ether and/or thioether, where Ph is paraphenylene, Ph.sup.1 is phenylene, n is 1 to 2 a is 1 to 3 and groups Ph.sup.1 are (when a exceeds 1) linked through a single chemical bond or a divalent group other than SO.sub.2 or alkylene or are fused together. Preferably the polyarylsulphone contains end-groups of formula --D--Y where D is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group and Y is a group reactive with the thermoset precursor and has been incipiently reacted with the thermoset precursor.