Abstract: An amine reacted acrylated epoxy resin blend that is particularly suitable for impregnating a fiber material and at least initial curing by exposure to ionizing radiation. These epoxy resins are basically produced by combining epoxy resins, including esterified epoxy resins, with stoichiometric quantities of aliphatic or cyclo aliphatic polyamines. The resins can be used to impregnate fibers which are exposed to ionizing radiation such as an electron beam or ultraviolet light and immediately formed into a structure, such as by filament winding. A short exposure to the ionizing radiation produces a stress-free, self supporting structure that can be fully cured through simple heating without elaborate tooling, vacuum bagging, autoclaves or the like.

Abstract: A method for continuous processing/in-situ consolidation and curing of thermoset resin impregnated fiber tow into a composite product having minimal porosity and being relatively void free. The method provides for preconditioning a fiber, impregnating a continuous fiber tow with a low viscosity thermoset resin to complete saturation and then simultaneously outgassing and advancing the resin impregnated tow. The preconditioned tow is then applied to a substrate such as a heated rotating mandrel in a filament winding procedure where heat is applied to the nip of the touch-down of the tow to the mandrel with the simultaneous application of pressure for initial consolidation of the tow upon the substrate. Additional pressure and heat are applied to the tow as the mandrel is rotated to provide for advancing the stage of the resin and further consolidation of the material.

Abstract: An improved mandrel for use in filament winding. Two embodiments are described for a new filament winding mandrel concept. The first embodiment comprises a plurality of spaced apart slots machined at an angle along the ends of the central mandrel section for use with machines of at least three degrees of motion. A second embodiment comprises a series of two circumferential rows of axial fins protruding along the circumference of the central section of the mandrel for use with machines having only two degrees of motion. A second configuration of the second embodiment is an addition of a strip of slots that are simply placed around and secured to the circumference of the mandrel at locations where fiber turn around is desired. This provides for fiber securing in place with minimal rather than requiring machining the axial fins into the tool.