Abstract: A method of vacuum-assisted RTM includes disposing a resin distribution medium on one surface of a reinforcing-fiber substrate, covering the whole with a bag material, reducing the pressure inside the bag material, and injecting a resin into the resin distribution medium to distribute the resin substantially in in-plane directions and then impregnate the resin into the reinforcing-fiber substrate in the thickness direction.

Abstract: Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured/molded to form composite parts having high damage tolerance and interlaminar fracture toughness. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that includes a mixture of polyamide 12 particles and polyamide 11 particles.

Abstract: A grinding and cleaning fleece 1, for the machine-based grinding and machine-based cleaning of structured surfaces, consists of a fleece body 10, which includes a processing surface 11 with a plurality of burls 14. A method of manufacturing and use of the cleaning fleece is also disclosed.

Abstract: Thin PTFE layers are described having little or no node and fibril microstructure and methods of manufacturing PTFE layers are disclosed that allow for controllable permeability and porosity of the layers. In some embodiments, the PTFE layers may act as a barrier layer in an endovascular graft or other medical device.

Abstract: A method for making an optical plate formed with a microstructure includes: extruding a substrate material and advancing the same to pass through a first nip formed between an embossing roller and a first pressing roller, the embossing roller having a micropatterned surface formed with a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of grooves, the protrusions and the grooves cooperatively defining a microstructure-forming space; applying a photosensitive resin to the micropatterned surface and filling the same into the microstructure-forming space upstream of the first nip to form a plurality of microelements respectively in the microstructure-forming space; allowing the photosensitive resin applied to the micropatterned surface to pass through the first nip together with the substrate material, thereby bonding the microelements to the substrate material; and irradiating and curing the photosensitive resin downstream of the first nip to form the optical plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides inks and methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The ink of the invention comprises an actinically-curable binder copolymer comprising fluorine-containing segments and is characterized by having capability to be cured actinically or thermally to form a colored film on a molding surface of a mold or a silicone hydrogel contact lens and by having an increased durability in a solvated state in a silicone-hydrogel lens formulation in relation to a control colored film obtained from a control ink including an actinically-curable fluorine-free binder copolymer. The invention also provides methods for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses based on print-on-mold processes for producing colored contact lenses.

Abstract: Fabricating a blade by 3D weaving a preform that is to be impregnated with resin. The visibility of the cut ends of certain yarns of the preform, e.g. the warp yarns, is accentuated in order to cause curved lines to appear, and the configuration of these curved lines is compared with a reference configuration in order to shape the preform properly.

Abstract: A fiberglass reinforced lightweight heavy-duty ladder, and method of making the same, is presented. The method includes impregnating rovings with a resin system and forming the impregnated rovings into a set of rails having a center portion, a left sidewall portion, and a right sidewall portion, where the left sidewall portion and the right sidewall portion each have an article roving density at least 10% greater than that of the center portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of a fiber-reinforced plastics material profiled part. The method comprises the supplying of a tubular fiber braid in which a polymer matrix is arranged by being distributed therein. A longitudinal portion of the fiber braid is enclosed in a molding press. The molding press is heated to cure the polymer matrix in the longitudinal portion. After the press is opened, the fiber braid is drawn through the open press in order to position a further longitudinal portion of the fiber braid in the molding press. The further longitudinal portion is enclosed in the press. Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a device for the production of a fiber-reinforced plastics material profiled part.

Abstract: A method for making a ladder rail includes the steps of using a central reinforcement to carry structural resin and maintain distribution of structural resin through an impregnation process, wherein the central reinforcement is fed to a curing die at a rate of greater than 5 ft/min. There is the step of forming the rail.

Abstract: A method of producing an organic friction lining includes the steps of producing a liquid friction material pulp placing a fabric into the friction material pulp drying and saturating the friction material pulp together with the fabric placed therein and removing the fabric from the dried friction material.

Abstract: To solve problems such as tearing in using or manufacturing sanitary thin paper for household use that is embossed and applied with aqueous chemicals. The problem is solved by a method for manufacturing toilet paper, comprising: a chemicals applying step of printing and applying aqueous lotion chemicals onto band-like continuous crepe paper by a printer, while a pattern with a non-chemicals-application portions and chemicals-application portions is formed; and an embossing step where the embossing convex portions are brought into press-contact only to the non-chemicals-application portions of the continuous crepe paper so that the continuous crepe paper is embossed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellets, comprising pultruding a plurality of reinforced fiber bundles in a molten thermoplastic resin while twisting the plurality reinforced fiber bundles to form a strand in which the reinforced fibers are coated with the thermoplastic resin, and cutting the strand to a predetermined length to form pellets, wherein the strand is pultruded under the conditions that the melt viscosity of the thermoplastic resin is adjusted such that the melt flow rate is 500 to 1500 g/10 min, and the twisting angle ? of the reinforced fiber bundles with respect to the pultruding direction of the strand is set as follows: 0°<??50°.

Abstract: In a method of producing a molded product, fiber such as carbon fiber is supplied to a robot delivery head where it is cut into shorter lengths and delivered to a molding tool in a desired orientation and in a desired number of layers to achieve a desired thickness and strength. Resin is then applied to the aligned fibers and cured to form the product. Alignment or substantial alignment of fiber is maintained by applying vacuum to the mold, by electrostatic means, or by coating the fiber with resin prior to application to the molding tool and heating the molding tool surface, or by coating or impregnating the fiber with a ferric powder and magnetizing the molding tool, or by applying a mist layer of epoxy in front of the shortened lengths of fibers. Fiber lengths and deposition rates are varied as required. The method facilitates fully automated production reducing process time and component costs. The invention also comprises a corresponding molded product.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite block of closed geometry, in the form of a continuous ring, based on fibers and on a crosslinkable resin, by continuous winding and superposition of several layers of a tape of reinforcement fibers embedded in a matrix based on a composition comprising a crosslinkable resin. The process comprises from upstream to downstream, the following steps: producing a rectilinear arrangement (12) of reinforcement fibers (11) and conveying this arrangement in a feed direction (F); degassing the arrangement (12) of fibers by the action of a vacuum (13); after degassing, impregnating said arrangement (12) of fibers under vacuum with said resin composition in the liquid state (17); passing the pre-preg thus obtained through a die (20) to make said pre-preg into the form of a tape (21) composed of reinforcement fibers (11) in their liquid resin (17) matrix, the thickness of said tape being less than 0.

Abstract: A process for continuous production of profile components of fiber composite material by a forming chain system, an associated profile component and the chain system for its continuous production. The method draws on the forming chain system having at least one forming chain. Here, preform batch of fiber strands, impregnated with matrix material and/or woven fiber webs, knit webs or nonwoven webs, are brought to the system at the working run of the at least one forming chain and are guided through the forming chain system, forming a continuous profile containing the profile component with a variable cross section over the profile length and/or with a profile longitudinal axis with virtually any desired extent. The profile components can be provided with local reinforcements, add-on parts of inserts, for example, for introducing force, as early as during primary forming.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an FRP member with insert which enables to reduce a machining time to improve productivity. First, a threaded hole 11 is formed in an insert 3. An FRP member 2 where at least the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is covered with a coating 4 made of FRP is molded. A counter-bored hole 31 that penetrates the coating 4 of the FRP member 2 to communicate with the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is formed, to thereby obtain an FRP component 1 with insert. Accordingly, a machining step after molding the FRP member 2 in which dry machining is required includes only the boring step of forming the counter-bored hole 31 in the FRP member 2. Thus, the machining time can be reduced, and the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: Prepreg for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite material, the prepreg comprising a layer of dry fibers and a layer of resin material adhered to a surface of the layer of dry fibers, the resin material having a plurality of particles dispersed therein, the particles have an average particle size that is larger than the average fiber separation of the layer of dry fibers.

Abstract: A die and method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. The die includes an impregnation section. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The impregnation zone includes a plurality of contact surfaces. At least one of the plurality of contact surfaces is configured such that a normal force of the roving is less than or equal to a lift force of the resin at an impregnation location on the contact surface during impregnation of the roving with the resin by the contact surface.

Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is used to control stress in the joint.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impregnation system suitable for impregnating filaments continuously with an impregnating substance, said system may comprise an impregnation assembly comprising (a) at least one axial passageway for the filaments having an entrance end and an exit end and (b) at least one passageway for the impregnating substance having at least one inlet for the impregnating substance and at least two outlets for the impregnating substance leading into the passageway for the filaments via the outlets for the impregnating substance, wherein the passageway for the filaments has an oblong cross-section at the outlet point for the impregnating substance, and the at least two outlets for the impregnating substance have an oblong cross-section, and are disposed essentially opposite to each other, at the opposite widths of the passageway for the filaments.

Abstract: A process for preparing a PANOX fiber comprising: obtaining an acrylonitrile copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains at least about 2% by weight itaconic acid comonomer; forming a spin dope from the copolymer; wet spinning the spin dope to obtain gelled filaments; contacting the gelled filaments with ammonia activator in an aqueous imbibation bath; bundling the gelled filaments to obtain a fiber; removing solvent from the fiber; drawing the fiber; densifying the fiber by heating the fiber up to about 400 degrees C. for a time of about 15 minutes in a rapid densification zone; and withdrawing a PANOX fiber from the densification zone.

Abstract: A process for the impregnation of carbon fiber bundles enables the carbon fiber bundles to be impregnated with a curable liquid resin without the impregnated fiber bundles sticking together. The fiber bundles are present in a mechanically generated fluidized bed during the impregnation and are held in the fluidized bed until the resin has been cured or at least dried. A resin-impregnated carbon fiber bundle, a shaped body and an intermediate body for silicization are also provided.

Abstract: A microconduit network structure and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention relates to a microconduit network structure, including: a solid or semi-solid matrix having at least one interconnected web of filaments formed within the matrix; and wherein at least one interconnected web of filaments having diameters of about 10 nm to about 1 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of overmolded polyamide composites structures and processes for their preparation. The disclosed overmolded composite structures comprise a first component having a surface, which surface has at least a portion made of a surface polyamide resin composition, and having a fibrous material impregnated with a matrix resin composition, and comprise a second component comprising an overmolding resin composition. The second component is adhered to the first component over at least a portion of the surface of said first component. One of the overmolding resin composition and the surface polyamide resin composition is made of a polyamide composition comprising a blend of one or more semi-aromatic polyamides (A) and one or more fully aliphatic polyamides (B) and the other of the overmolding resin composition and the surface polyamide resin composition is made of one or more polyamides.

Abstract: An impregnation section of a die and a method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin and a gate passage in fluid communication with the impregnation zone for flowing the resin therethrough such that the resin coats the roving. Additionally, the impregnation section includes a surface disposed upstream of the impregnation zone in a run direction of the roving for contacting the roving. The method includes traversing at least one fiber roving over a surface, flowing a polymer resin through a gap, the gap being in the range between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 4 millimeters, coating the roving with the resin, and traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a papermaking belt having an embryonic-web-contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic-web-contacting surface opposite the embryonic-web-contacting surface. The papermaking belt has a patterned framework having a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits isolated from one another by the continuous network region. The continuous network region has a pattern formed therein by a plurality of tessellating unit cells. Each cell has a center and at least two continuous land areas extending in at least two directions from the center. At least one of the continuous land areas at least bifurcates to form a continuous land area portion having a first width before the bifurcation and at least two continuous land area portions having a second width after the bifurcation.

Abstract: The invention provides a tow prepreg having improved productivity and performance. In various embodiments, the tow prepreg has 90% or more resin impregnation and a FAW greater than 600 g/m2. A method of making the prepreg by impregnating each continuous reinforcement fiber strand with a thermosetting resin is also disclosed. In various embodiments, the resin is applied to the reinforcement fiber while flattening the fiber between heated rollers positioned in parallel to each other.

Abstract: The use of polyamide modified by hydroxyaromatic compounds employed in the impregnation of reinforcing materials taking the form of a cloth of industrial fabrics for the manufacture of composite materials is described. The described use relates to composite materials and of their manufacturing processes. Also described, is a process for the manufacture of a composite article including at least: a) a stage of impregnation of a reinforcing cloth with a polyamide composition in the molten state, where the polyamide includes hydroxyaromatic units chemically bonded to the polyamide chain; and b) a stage of cooling and subsequently recovering the composite article.

Abstract: Fiberglass products and methods for making same are provided. The fiberglass product can include a plurality of fibers and a two phase binder composition comprising a mixture of an aqueous polymer and a powdered polymer.

Abstract: The method for making a continuous laminate, in particular suitable as a spar cap or another part of a wind energy turbine rotor blade comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parallel fibers, embedding the fibers in a curable matrix material, curing the matrix material so as to obtain a fiber reinforced laminate having upper and lower major surfaces, and forming channels into at least one of the upper and lower major surfaces of the laminate wherein the channels on the upper and/or lower major surfaces are angled with respect to the direction of the fibers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functional structured surface includes the controlled removal of material from a film including at least one buried pore, the inner surface of the pore including at least one chemical linkage group, where the material is removed so as to expose part of the inner surface of the pore that is not affected by the removal of material.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite structures having surface, which surface has at least a portion made of a composition comprising one or more polyamides having an excess of amine end groups such that the ratio of the amine end groups to the acid end groups is at least 1.5:1.0.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant composite material useful in rigid armor applications. The composite material includes at least one consolidated network of high tenacity fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The resin is a thermoplastic polyurethane resin that is semi-crystalline at room temperature. The high tenacity fibers have a tenacity of at least about 7 g/d. Prior to consolidation the polyurethane resin matrix material is in an aqueous medium. When dry, the polyurethane matrix material has a tensile modulus (at 100% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), a tensile modulus (at 300% elongation) of at least about 500 psi (3.45 MPa), and an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 2000 psi (13.78 MPa). The ballistic resistant composite material has improved ballistic properties.

Abstract: The fiber-reinforced polymer material, in particular for processing in the injection molding and extrusion method, is composed of granular materials having integrated long-fiber reinforcement. The granular materials are designed as wound elements (5), which have continuous fiber strands (3) including continuous reinforcing fibers (1) impregnated with polymer material (2). The wound elements (5) contain more than one turn (6) of the impregnated continuous fiber strands (3), wherein the turns (6) at least partially overlap each other such that the turns are arranged over each other and/or next to each other. The wound elements (5) can be continuously produced by winding and solidifying the impregnated continuous fiber strands (3) around a winding axis (23) or on a winding core (22) and subsequently separating the wound elements from each other, in particular by means of a winding core moved in an oscillating (+x1, ?x1) manner and using melted thermoplastic polymer material (2).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions are described which are useful, for example, for the preparation of metal-clad laminate structures, methods for the preparation thereof, and various uses therefor. Invention metal-clad laminate structures are useful, for example, multi-layer board (MLB) industry, in the preparation of burn-in test boards and high reliability boards, applications where low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is beneficial, in the preparation of boards used in down-hole drilling, and the like.

Abstract: A method of producing a bent rod includes impregnating fibers (1) with resin (2), introducing the impregnated fibers into a flexible plastic tube (3), bringing the flexible plastic tube to a desired bent form and crosslinking the resin with the fibers to produce the rod with the desired bent shape. The flexible plastic tube is formed from a material that has a very low friction coefficient and the flexible plastic tube remains in its position after the crosslinking to permit sliding movement of the bent rod relative to an adjacent structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite structures, overmolded composites structures and processes for their preparation. The disclosed composite structures have a surface having at least a portion made of a surface resin composition, and comprise a fibrous material being impregnated with a matrix resin composition, wherein the matrix polyamide resin composition and the surface resin composition are selected from polyamide compositions comprising a blend of semi-aromatic polyamides.

Abstract: A composition for the manufacture of a porous, compressible article, the composition comprising a combination of: a plurality of reinforcing fibers; a plurality of polyimide fibers; and a plurality of polymeric binder fibers; wherein the polymeric binder fibers have a melting point lower than the polyimide fibers; methods for forming the porous, compressible article; and articles containing the porous, compressible article. An article comprising a thermoformed dual matrix composite is also disclosed, wherein the composite exhibits a time to peak release, as measured by FAR 25.853 (OSU test), a 2 minute total heat release, as measured by FAR 25.853 (OSU test), and an NBS optical smoke density of less than 200 at 4 minutes, determined in accordance with ASTM E-662 (FAR/JAR 25.853).

Abstract: Vehicle headliners are prepared with a core layer of a fiber-reinforced polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is prepared from a polyurethane-forming composition that uses water as a blowing agent and polyol or polyol mixture that has a high functionality and an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of 100-130. The selection of polyols permits cycle times to be reduced by allowing for faster demolding and shortened aging times before post-molding heat lamination steps can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite structures and overmolded structures comprising a fibrous material, a matrix resin composition and a portion of its surface made of a surface resin composition, wherein the surface resin composition is chosen from compositions comprising one or more polyamides and one or more functionalized polyolefins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reinforcement blank, in particular a curved ring frame segment for fuselage cells of aircraft, comprising a synthetic material that is reinforced by at least one fiber laminate. The fiber laminate includes at least one full-area layer with a first fiber direction and at least one full-area layer with a second fiber direction, wherein at least one further layer with a third fiber direction is arranged in a peripheral area of the fiber laminate. This results in an orientation of the fibers in the individual layers of the fiber laminate used to reinforce the reinforcement beam that is overall suitable for the applied load, so that the reinforcement beam withstands high mechanical loads at a minimum weight.

Abstract: Molding material that includes a layer of fibrous reinforcing material having one surface on which a first layer of a resin partially impregnates the fibrous material and a further resin layer located on the opposite surface which retains in position surface fibers of the fibrous material. The further resin layer is of lower weight than the first layer and is formed as an openwork structure with a solid part and spaces through which the fibrous material is exposed.

Abstract: A method to manufacture a component of a fibre reinforced structure is provided. A number of unconnected roving is used to form a roving bundle. A number of roving bundle is positioned automatically into a forming tool. The roving bundles are arranged in a way that at least one layer of the component is assembled. The roving bundles are aligned unidirectional into the forming tool. Each roving bundle is at least wetted with a matrix material before it is positioned into the forming tool.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for improving filament cohesiveness of chopped aramid fiber including the steps of impregnating a film-forming binding agent into the fiber, drying the fiber, optionally applying a finish to the fiber, and chopping the fiber to pieces of 1 to 16 mm length, characterized in that the fiber prior to applying the binding agent is subjected to a twisting process to obtain a fiber having a twisting level of 10 to 150 tpm and that the chopping of the fiber is performed in a rotary chopper.

Abstract: There is provided a continuous molding method capable of varying a thickness of a prepreg molded article. A molding material 10 is prepared such that three plies, for example, of prepreg 31, 32, 33 are laminated with different end face positions on each face of a prepreg laminate 20 of a carbon fibre or the like, and prepreg peel plies 41, 42, 43 are arranged continuously to the respective plies of the prepreg 31, 32, 33. This molding material 10 is transformed into a sheet and continuously sent out to a hot press for molding, which is then heated in a post-curing oven for a prescribed period of time for thermosetting. After the molding, the prepreg peel ply 40 is peeled and removed so that a product whose sectional thickness varies can be obtained.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a gas tank having a gas-barrier inner shell and an outer shell that is formed so as to cover the inner shell and is made of a pressure-resistant FRP, such outer shell comprising reinforcing fiber bundles (A), a thermosetting resin (B), and an elastomer particles and/or thermoplastic resin particles (C), provided that elastomer particles and/or thermoplastic resin particles (C) that have been dispersed in a thermosetting resin (B) exist in reinforcing fiber bundles (A), is provided. Such gas tank is excellent in strength and heat resistance and has suppressed gas permeability.

Abstract: Fabricating a blade by 3D weaving a preform that is to be impregnated with resin. According to the invention, the visibility of the cut ends of certain yarns of the preform (16), e.g. the warp yarns, is accentuated in order to cause curved lines (20) to appear, and the configuration of these curved lines is compared with a reference configuration in order to shape the preform properly.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid crystalline polyester impregnated fiber sheet, comprising a step of impregnating a fiber sheet composed of an aramid fiber or a polybenzazole fiber with a liquid composition containing a liquid crystalline polyester and an aprotic solvent free of a halogen atom and a step of removing the solvent from the fiber sheet impregnated with the liquid composition. As the above mentioned solvent, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone are preferably used. As the above mentioned sheet, textiles are preferably used.

Abstract: A glass fiber and a method of manufacturing a glass fiber for reinforcing a transparent composite matrix is disclosed. The glass fiber includes a first glass material having a first refractive index, a first modulus, and a first durability characteristic and a second glass material having a second refractive index, a second modulus, and second durability characteristic. The second durability characteristic is greater than the first durability characteristic. Durability characteristic is selected from the group comprising resistance to chemical attack, resistance to acid attack, resistance to fading from exposure to ultra-violet radiation, and resistance to mechanical abrasion.