Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a composite material which is light weight and highly damped against vibration. The composite material comprises fibers embedded in a resin matrix wherein the fibers are oriented in a waveform that is substantially continuously variable as to period, amplitude and/or shape. A viscoelastic material is combined with the resin matrix to provide vibration dampening characteristics. The variation in the period/amplitude takes place in a region of the composite structure which is selected to provide optimum strength and dampening characteristics as desired for the particular application. Even without the viscoelastic material, the light weight structure is useful as a pre-preg material from which other composite structures may be formed. Methods of manufacturing the composite material include using multiple, identical cells in which each cell is used to fabricate a fiber, resin matrix and viscoelastic adhesive composite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing a composite material which is light weight and highly damped against vibration. The composite material comprises fibers embedded in a resin matrix wherein the fibers are oriented in a waveform that is substantially continuously variable as to period, amplitude and/or shape. A viscoelastic material is combined with the resin matrix to provide vibration dampening characteristics. The variation in the period/amplitude takes place in a region of the composite structure which is selected to provide optimum strength and dampening characteristics as desired for the particular application. Even without the viscoelastic material, the light weight structure is useful as a pre-preg material from which other composite structures may be formed. Methods of manufacturing the composite material include using multiple, identical cells in which each cell is used to fabricate a fiber, resin matrix and viscoelastic adhesive composite.