Abstract: A method is presented for effectively manufacturing multi-wall (double-wall, etc.) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a structure whereby interior tubes are formed within the CNTs. In this manufacturing method, fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are prepared, wherein assembled fullerenes, these being fullerenes that are linked, have been housed within single-wall CNTs. The interior tubes are formed from the assembled fullerenes by subjecting the hybrid structures to electron beam irradiation while in a heated state. It is preferred that irradiation with the electron beams occurs at a temperature of 100˜500° C. and with the electron beams having an accelerating voltage of 80˜250 kV. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, multi-wall CNTs with few defects can be manufactured at lower temperatures and in a shorter period than in the case where the fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are only maintained under high temperature conditions (and electron beam irradiation is not performed).

Abstract: A method is presented for effectively manufacturing multi-wall (double-wall, etc.) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a structure whereby interior tubes are formed within the CNTs. In this manufacturing method, fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are prepared, wherein assembled fullerenes, these being fullerenes that are linked, have been housed within single-wall CNTs. The interior tubes are formed from the assembled fullerenes by subjecting the hybrid structures to electron beam irradiation while in a heated state. It is preferred that irradiation with the electron beams occurs at a temperature of 100˜500° C. and with the electron beams having an accelerating voltage of 80˜250 kV.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a fiber reinforced plastic structure, comprising the steps of winding a continuous long-staple fiber impregnated with a liquid resin around a plurality of winding jigs until the resultant bundle of resin impregnated fibers attains a predetermined thickness; setting rings tightly in place on the linear portions of the resin impregnated fiber bundle between the jigs; and moving the tightly set rings relative to the linear portions thereby wringing the resin impregnated fiber bundle and expelling bubbles entrapped within the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A steering wheel core material of continuous filament FRP for vehicles which is made up of a ring, a boss positioned at the center of the ring, and spokes connecting the boss to the ring, said boss being integrally joined to a boss metal fitting. It is formed by winding resin-impregnated continous filaments in layer around the ring- and spoke-forming mold and the body of the boss metal fitting, with an elastic material interposed between the body of the boss metal fitting and the FRP.

Abstract: A core for a steering wheel made of a long fiber-reinforced resin in which a ring portion, a boss portion and a three spoke portions including a first spoke portion, a second spoke portion and a third spoke portion extending in a generally T-shaped configuration from the ring portion to the boss portion, are formed by bundles of continuous fibers reinforced with a resin. The cross-sectional area for the second spoke portion situated between the first spoke portion and the third spoke portion is made smaller than the cross-sectional area for the first spoke portion and the third spoke portion.

Abstract: A process for preparing a fiber reinforced plastic structure having points of branching, which comprises the steps of, positioning pins at points of branching in the structure and repeatedly hanging and repeatedly stretching a resin-impregnated strand of continuous long-staple fibers over and between said pins, thereby completing the structure of the points of branching.

Abstract: A steering wheel made of resin, wherein a reinforcement, as a core of the steering wheel, consists of reinforcing members corresponding to a ring part, a sub-ring part and spoke parts, which are formed of windings and by hardening of a strand of continuously long fiber impregnated with a resin for hardening, after being wound onto the ring part, the sub-ring part and the spoke parts via a boss and spacers which are disposed at the joints between the ring part, the sub-ring part and the spoke parts.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a fiber reinforced resin structure having branched portions comprising, winding a long continuous resin impregnated fiber strand repeatedly on a molding jig having a predetermined structure, winding said fiber strand tightly around each of the branched portions of the structure, and hardening said resin.

Abstract: A core material for steering wheels, comprising a boss equipped with sleeves in a unitary structure, each of which sleeves has a slit in the axial direction thereof, said sleeves further being packed with superposed fiber strands; a ring portion; and spoke portions which connect said ring portion to said boss and being formed by winding and stretching continuous long-staple fiber strands impregnated with a resin to form the superposed strands within said sleeves.