Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining elongated strips is provided. The strips are wrapped with a flexible material that may include a reinforcement layer and other layers such as adhesives whereby the strips can be bonded to one another. Additionally, layers of e.g., a stabilizing material may be added to one or both sides of the intermediate formed by the elongated strips and flexible material. The stabilizing material can be e.g., layers of a scrim and/or one or more layers of material that are impregnated with a resin to add strength to the intermediate.

Abstract: A process of making an agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle containing forming a bundle of fibers, coating the bundle of fibers with a nanoparticle solution, and drying the solvent from the coated bundle of fibers at a temperature above room temperature forming an agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle comprising a plurality of agglomerated nanoparticles. The agglomerated nanoparticles are located in at least a portion of the void space in the bundle of fibers and form bridges between at least a portion of the adjacent fibers. Between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle. The agglomerated nanoparticles form between about 1 and 60% of the effective cross-sectional area of the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle.

Abstract: An agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle containing a bundle of fibers and an agglomerated particle cloud network. The bundle of fibers contains a plurality of fibers and void space between the fibers. The agglomerated particle cloud network contains a plurality of agglomerated nanoparticles located in at least a portion of the void space in the bundle of fibers. The agglomerated nanoparticles form bridges between adjacent fibers. Between 10 and 100% by number of fibers contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle. The agglomerated nanoparticles form between about 1 and 60% of the effective cross-sectional area of the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining elongated strips is provided. The strips are wrapped with a flexible material that may include a reinforcement layer and other layers such as adhesives whereby the strips can be bonded to one another. Additionally, layers of e.g., a stabilizing material may be added to one or both sides of the intermediate formed by the elongated strips and flexible material. The stabilizing material can be e.g., layers of a scrim and/or one or more layers of material that are impregnated with a resin to add strength to the intermediate.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips. The reinforcement sheet forms at least about sixty five percent (65%) of the surface area of the first side of the core panel and at least about sixty five percent (65%) of the surface area of the second side of the core panel.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously consolidating to form a fiber reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset structural element that contain, in order; a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member, a tie layer, and a fiber reinforced thermoset member. The fiber reinforced thermoplastic member, contains multiple layers of fibers and a thermoplastic matrix at least partially surrounding the fibers. The fiber reinforced thermoset member contains multiple layers of fibers and a thermoset matrix at least partially surrounding the fibers. The tie layer contains a first polymer and a second polymer.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The longitudinal axis of the low density strips are substantially parallel and the cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having natural contour contains a series of adjacent low density strips where the longitudinal axes of the low density strips are substantially parallel. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips. The fiber reinforced core panel contains a natural contour in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the low density strips, a natural contour in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of the low density strips, or a natural contour in both the directions parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the low density strips.

Abstract: A contoured fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips where the longitudinal axes of the low density strips are substantially parallel. The cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The longitudinal axis of the low density strips are substantially parallel and the cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The longitudinal axis of the low density strips are substantially parallel and the cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced core panel having a first side and an opposing second side. The core panel contains a series of adjacent low density strips having at least three faces and having a length to width aspect ratio of at least 5:1. The longitudinal axis of the low density strips are substantially parallel and the cross-section of each strip has a major face, a first edge face, and a second edge face. The major face of each strip is disposed within the first or second side of the core panel and the major face of each strip is disposed within an opposite face of the core panel than the major face of the adjacent strips. The core panel also contains a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet which is threaded through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major faces of the low density strips.