Abstract: The invention relates to a resin infusion process wherein a curable flowing fluid resin composition is supplied to form a curable matrix around a fibrous reinforcement material, wherein the curable flowing fluid resin composition comprises a resin component (1) and an activator component (2), and at least one property of the curable flowing fluid resin composition is monitored prior to supply.

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer, such as a light weight veil of thermoplastic polymer fibers, are located within the interleaf zone of laminates that are composed of fibrous layers and thermosetting resin. The thermoplastic veils are used in the interleaf zones as a replacement for thermoplastic toughening particles. The structured thermoplastic polymer may be coated with a conductive material to improve electrical conductivity through the laminate.

Abstract: A resin composition for producing a composite, wherein the composition comprises (a) resin component comprising a glycidyl bisphenol Z epoxy resin, and (b) a curing agent.

Abstract: A structural panel comprising an internal core material having first and second opposing faces, first and second face sheets bonded to the first and second opposing faces respectively, wherein the panel comprises an open-structured sheet, interposed between a first face of the core material and its respective face sheet and the panel comprises less than 200 gsm adhesive.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a cured composite material, the process comprising the steps of blending together a liquid curable resin and a curing agent having a melting point greater than 100° C. to form a liquid blend of curable resin and curing agent, at least partially impregnating a structural fiber arrangement with the blended curable resin and curing agent to form a curable composite material, followed by curing the composite material by exposure to elevated temperature and at a pressure of no greater than 3 bar absolute to form a cured composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin curing agent having the formula (I), wherein R1 to R4 are each individually selected from linear or branched C1 to C5 alkyl, a process for its manufacture, blends of the reaction products, and two-component curable resin systems.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a cured composite material, the process comprising the steps of blending together a liquid curable resin and a curing agent having a melting point greater than 100° C. to form a liquid blend of curable resin and curing agent, at least partially impregnating a structural fibre arrangement with the blended curable resin and curing agent to form a curable composite material, followed by curing the composite material by exposure to elevated temperature and at a pressure of no greater than 3 bar absolute to form a cured composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin curing agent having the formula (I), wherein R1 to R4 are each individually selected from linear or branched C1 to C5 alkyl, a process for its manufacture, blends of the reaction products, and two-component curable resin systems.

Abstract: A structural panel comprising an internal core material having first and second opposing faces, first and second face sheets bonded to the first and second opposing faces respectively, wherein the panel comprises an open-structured sheet, interposed between a first face of the core material and its respective face sheet and the panel comprises less than 200 gsm adhesive.

Abstract: One or more layers of structured thermoplastic polymer, such as a light weight veil of thermoplastic polymer fibers, are located within the interleaf zone of laminates that are composed of fibrous layers and thermosetting resin. The thermoplastic veils are used in the interleaf zones as a replacement for thermoplastic toughening particles. The structured thermoplastic polymer may be coated with a conductive material to improve electrical conductivity through the laminate.

Abstract: Use of a resin system for making a composite material in a liquid moulding process. The resin system comprises an epoxy component and at least one curing agent, and at least 35 wt. % of the epoxy component is one or more naphthalene based epoxy resin. There is also provided a cured composite material, and a method of making the cured composite material in a liquid moulding process which comprises placing fibre reinforcement and the resin system in a mould and curing. The resin system and the methods of making a cured composite material are particularly applicable to liquid moulding processed such as resin trans moulding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), Seeman composite resin infusion moulding (SCRIMP), resin infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT), and liquid resin infusion (LRI).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming a void-free laminate, comprising the steps of: (a) enclosing a partially impregnated prepreg in a vacuum envelope, said partially impregnated prepreg comprising a fiber layer partially impregnated with a resin composition; and (b) heating said partially impregnated prepreg under vacuum to withdraw air present in said partially impregnated prepreg and to cause said resin composition (i) to fully infuse into said fiber layer and (ii) to cure thereby forming said void-free laminate. The present invention further provides novel combinations of modified epoxy resins that may be employed with the methods disclosed. The void-free laminates may be utilized for the manufacture of parts for the aerospace and aircraft industries.