Abstract: A method of consolidating a tubular composite article of polymeric matrix material and fibrous reinforcing material, comprising enclosing a length of the tubular composite article in a tubular protective member and advancing the protective member to carry the length of the article thus enclosed through a consolidation zone wherein the article is progressively subjected to consolidating temperature and pressure. The method enables the composite to be pulled through the consolidation zone without the distortion which tends to occur in standard "pultrusion" methods owing to surface friction and longitudinal tension on the composite.

Abstract: A strip of hollow heat-recoverable articles formed side-by-side by tear welding two lengths of polymeric material together at intervals so that individual articles may be torn off. A preferred method of making the strip involves cross-linking after the tear welding, heating the strip, and inflating the hollow articles to render them heat-recoverable by introducing pressure via an interconnecting passage formed for that purpose during the tear welding.