Abstract: The present invention provides a sandwich structure with a core element in honeycomb form and outer layers with carbon fiber and glass fiber layers, the glass fiber layers being applied to the outer sides of the sandwich structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a topsheet, an outer cover, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The outer cover may comprise an extrusion bonded laminate. The EBL may comprise a multi-layer coextruded elastomeric film and a nonwoven. The film may comprise a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is between the first and second outer layers. The nonwoven may comprise fibers and/or filaments. The first outer layer may be non-adhesively joined to the nonwoven via extrusion coating. Further, the outer cover may be elastic to at least about 50% engineering strain. The nonwoven may have high chemical affinity for the first outer layer. The first outer layer may have a low chemical affinity for the core layer. And, the first outer layer may comprise an amount of draw down polymer greater than about 45 wt %.

Abstract: A loop member for a mechanical fastener comprises a nonwoven web, the nonwoven web having a pattern of intersecting bond lines. The pattern is characterized in that at least a portion comprises a first plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines and a second plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines, each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the first plurality intersecting each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the second plurality. The intersecting bond lines define unbonded pattern elements, each of the pattern elements being at least partially bounded by non-linear segments of the bond lines. The bond pattern for a nonwoven web is suitable for use as a loop member of a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a process for the production of a structure from fiber composite material, comprising a mold tool for receiving material which can be joined to provide a structure, and a vacuum system for molding and fixing the structure, wherein the vacuum system has a flexible layer, in particular a separation film or separation layer and/or a tear-off film, and a vacuum film for covering the structure. In accordance with the invention the vacuum system is free from ventilation material and/or tear-off material at least at a portion which corresponds to a portion of the structure to be covered, in which a step extends.

Abstract: A sailcloth in roll good form permits efficient and cost effective construction of cross cut and vertical cut, laminate sails based on “off-angle,” (asymmetrical) load bearing fibers. The sailcloth also may include a conventional warp and fill thread or fiber layout. Such sailcloth illustratively is significantly less susceptible to load force stretch, creep elongation, and airfoil shape deformation because, among other things, it is not dependent on the load bearing limitations of symmetrical, woven or knitted roll good sailcloth.

Abstract: A prepreg base material includes reinforcing fibers arranged substantially in one direction and a matrix resin between the reinforcing fibers, wherein the prepreg base material has substantially throughout its entire surface incisions, each incision extending in a direction substantially crossing the reinforcing fibers, wherein substantially all of the reinforcing fibers are divided by the incisions, a length (L) of each of reinforcing fiber segments formed by the incisions is in the range of 10 to 100 mm, a thickness H of the prepreg base material is in the range of 30 to 300 ?m, and a fiber volume content by Vf of the reinforcing fibers is in the range of 45 to 65%.

Abstract: A laminate including at least one elastic film having a width and at least one layer of non-woven fabric fixed to the film on at least said width, through interposition of a fixing agent, in particular adhesive, whereby the at least one layer of non-woven fabric has an outer surface at a distance from the film. The outer surface (25) of the at least one layer of non-woven fabric is corrugated in the stretched state of the laminate, having ridge zones (22) and hollow zones (23), whereby fixing agent (20) is provided between the ridge zones and the elastic film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite article comprising a metal sheet of at least 0.25 mm thickness and at least two unidirectional sheets, with the metal in the metal sheet having a melting point of at least 350° C., whereby the unidirectional sheets comprise at least 2 mono-layers of unidirectional oriented high performance fibers, with the direction of the said fibers in a mono-layer is at an angle ? to the direction of the fibers in an adjacent mono-layer. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the manufacture of a composite article and the use of the composite article in buildings and constructions, vehicles, and ballistic applications, especially under conditions of heat and fire.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant panel which is formed from a ceramic layer and a plurality of fibrous backing layers. A first fibrous backing layer is adjacent to the ceramic layer, and a second fibrous backing layer is adjacent to the first fibrous backing layer. Each of the fibrous backing layers are formed from a network of high tenacity fibers, but the fibers of each of the backing layers have a different composition. Preferably, the first fibrous layer is stiffer than the second fibrous layer. The panel has a ballistic resistance which is substantially equivalent to or higher than the ballistic resistance of a comparable ceramic panel construction that has only a single fibrous layer of the same type of high tenacity fibers as are in the first and second fibrous backing layers, for substantially the same areal density.

Abstract: A multilayer armor plating material contains a single-piece or multi-piece ceramic or metallic layer which, as seen in the direction of attack, is followed by a rear supporting layer of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) and/or of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CRP). As seen in the direction of attack the ceramic or metallic layer is preceded by a front supporting layer of glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) and/or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CRP). As a result, the steel or ceramic layer is optimally embedded in a composite between the front and rear supporting layers and thereby supported. This in particular protects the ceramic or steel material from harmful vibrations caused by repeated impact of projectiles, on account of the higher rigidity of the structure reducing the vibration amplitudes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bundling or strapping objects, in particular steel coils, wherein a binding tape made of a composite material comprising continuous fibers and a thermoplastic material and having a width of from 10 to 50 mm and a thickness of from 100 to 300 ?m is placed around the object, in particular the steel coil, thereby forming overlapping ends of the binding tape, and in the region of the overlapping ends heat is applied to the ends of the binding tape lying one on top of the other, in such a way that the thermoplastic material softens, and pressure is subsequently exerted over the surface area of the softened region in such a way that the ends of the binding tape are pressed against each other; the invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method and to a binding tape for this.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component for gas turbine engines, the component having fine features such as thin edges with thicknesses of less than about 0.030 inches and small radii of less that about 0.030 inches formed using the combination of prepreg plies layed up with non-ply ceramic inserts. The CMC components of the present invention replace small ply inserts cut to size to fit into areas of contour change or thickness change, and replace the small ply inserts with a fabricated single piece discontinuously reinforced composite insert, resulting in fewer defects, such as wrinkles, and better dimensional control.

Abstract: A pre-form and a method of preparing pre-forms are provided. The pre-forms comprise a resin and at least three layers of oriented fibre tows. The pre-forms comprise fibre tows instead of the traditional prepregs to enhance rearranging of resin and/or fibres during subsequent processing as well as provide greater freedom, a price reduction and/or a reduction of waste. The pre-forms may be formed three-dimensionally to enhance coupling to further pre-forms or other structures and/or to enhance shaping of the pre-form to a final three-dimensional shape. The method of preparation of pre-forms involves providing an adhesive between layers of fibres and providing a resin in contact with at least one of the layers of fibres. The resin is preferably provided in a non-continuous layer to allow for removal of gas at least partially in a direction orthogonal to the layers of resin. Advantageously, during manufacturing, the fibres are placed with an exact start and ending location, thereby avoiding waste.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building board or structural unit, especially a structural, wall, paneling or support unit or the like with a multi-layer structure, preferably based on wood or wooden materials, which is formed with two cover layers that are spatially separated from each other and placed parallel to each other and at least one core layer placed between them and joined to them, characterized in that between two if necessary multilayer cover layers (3, 4) each with a planar layer material, preferably from the wood and wooden material group, as well additionally as metals, textile and fiber materials, cardboard, papers plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics, mineral-based construction materials and rock, an at least single-layer slanted-fiber core layer (5) is placed, which is formed from a material having unitary structuring, preferably formed from wood or wood plastic, whereby the fibers form an angle (+) to the longitudinal direction of the two cover layers (3, 4) between +25 to 80° and/or an angle (?

Abstract: A contoured composite structure is fabricated by laying up a composite charge that includes at least one ply formed by uni-directional fiber pre-preg ply segments having substantially constant widths. The ply segments are placed in side-by-side, overlapping relationship with their longitudinal centerlines aligned in a polar orientation related to the contour of the structure. The charge is formed into the shape of the structure and cured.

Abstract: A laminated tape for reinforcing handles of a corrugated container. The laminated tape comprises one or more upper polyolefin film layers and one or more lower polyolefin film layers with one or more fiber layers between the upper and lower polyolefin film layers. At least one polyolefin film layer may be a mono-axially oriented polypropylene.

Abstract: Prepreg composite materials that include a fiber layer and a prepreg resin composed of a bismaleimide resin component, a thermoplastic toughening agent and a resin distribution stabilizer. The bismaleimide component is an amorphous mixture of at least three different bismaleimide monomers and a co-curing agent. The prepreg is useful in panel construction where a honeycomb core is sandwiched between two sheets of composite material.

Abstract: A carbon fiber composite material comprises a plurality of carbon fiber layers, each layer having a first set of carbon fibers aligned substantially parallel to the long axis of the fibers; and a resin covering at least a portion of the carbon fiber layers. The carbon fiber layers are stacked and laminated together; and at least two layers are disposed so that the first set fibers in the two layers have a relative angle of about 5-90° with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining binder distribution on a sample in which a selected sample is contacted with a transfer medium in a manner such that at least 15% of any fluorescing binder present on the surface of the sample will be transferred to the transfer medium, a digital image of the transfer medium is generated and analyzed for binder distribution.

Abstract: A material plate suitable for use as a floor covering comprises a middle substrate layer having two sides and a first and second decor layer on each side of the substrate. The decor layers may be advantageously different in aesthetic appearance. A transparent overlay layer is provided over the one and preferably both decor layers. Either the decor layers or the overlay layers, or both, comprise abrasion-resistant particles to extend wear.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method are provided.

Abstract: A reinforcing fiber for reinforcing a transparent matrix composite. The fiber includes a substantially transparent fiber ribbon having an elongated cross-sectional geometry. The fiber ribbon includes edges that are substantially opaque. Light is substantially prevented from passing through the opaque edges to reduce or eliminate light distortion through the fiber. A composite utilizing the reinforcing fibers and a method for making a window assembly and a method for manufacturing a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A press fabric for a machine for the production of web material, especially paper or cardboard, including a carrying structure and at least one layer of fibrous material, which is firmly bonded with the carrying structure, at least one layer of fibrous material containing polymeric material at least partially coating fibers of this layer with a polymeric film.

Abstract: An infusion fabric is provided including at least one layer of directional reinforcement material knitted with a warp or raschel knitting having a gauge of between about 3 to about 14 and a density of between about 1 to about 10 stitches/cm. A yarn having a diameter of about 0.07 to about 0.5 mm is utilized for the stitching.

Abstract: A method of forming an article from a plurality of fiber bundles comprising the steps of providing at least one supply of fiber bundles, the fiber bundles having bonding fibers, supplying the fiber bundles to an injector, sequentially injecting fiber bundles from the fiber bundle feed assembly to predetermined positions within a mold member, heating the fiber bundles within the mold member to facilitate the adhesion of bonding fibers to, in turn, integrate the fiber bundle into an article, and, removing the fiber bundles from the mold member. An article and a system for forming same is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: A lightweight fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite having an improved combination of flexural, impact, and heat distortion characteristics. The composite generally comprises a fiber reinforced thermoplastic core containing reinforcing fibers bonded together with a first thermoplastic resin in which the core has a first surface and a second surface and at least one first skin applied to the first surface. The first skin comprises one or more bi-directional continuous fiber tapes having a plurality of continuous fibers bonded together with one or more thermoplastic resins. The fibers in each first skin are arranged in a first principal direction and a second principal direction, with the fibers in each direction being aligned in a unidirectional orientation within the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ballistic protection device. A device embodying the invention includes at least three layers of synthetic fabrics forming the reinforcements of one and the same piece obtained by resin-transfer molding, the middle layer made from a fabric including glass fibers crossed with carbon fibers. An embodiment of the invention applies, for example, to the protection of vehicles against ballistic-type attacks.

Abstract: An oriented strand board panel and a method for making the same are provided. The OSB panel has at least three layers, namely, a top surface layer, a core layer, and a bottom surface layer. A first cover layer may be provided on the top surface layer. Likewise, a second cover layer may be provided underneath the bottom surface layer. The first cover layer and/or the second cover layer may have a smaller strand angle, defined by an average deviation of strands from a longitudinal axis, than the top surface layer and the bottom surface layer. The smaller strand angles for the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer provide the OSB panel with greater stiffness and strength along the strong direction of the panel without significant compromise of strength and/or stiffness in the weak direction of the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamellar structure of food containers, which comprises a fiber layer and two biodegradable material layers adhering to two surfaces of the fiber layer, wherein the biodegradable material layer is formed by coating a biodegradable material precursor formula, which comprises a biodegradable polymer and a tenacity adjuster, wherein the tenacity adjuster includes a biological molecule and a biodegradable polymer precursor, water or mixtures thereof, and the tenacity adjuster is heat treated.

Abstract: A composite structure of a composite substrate and a plastic material is provided. The composite structure is fabricated by a method including the steps of: preparing a plurality of fiber layers weaved in different directions and laminating the fiber layers to configure a stack; soaking the stack in a resin, and drying the soaked stack to obtain a composite substrate; conducting a compression molding process to the composite substrate to achieve a predetermined shape; putting the compression molded composite substrate in a mold of a plastic injection molding machine; injecting a melting plastic material obtained from plastic particles melted by an extrusion machine into the mold, for combining with the composite substrate; and water cooling for hardening the combination, thus achieving a product of the composite structure.

Abstract: Devices including nano-junctions made between aligned functionalized carbon nanotubes, and methods of aligning functionalized carbon nanotubes for the purpose of fabricating either coaligned or criss-crossed p-n junctions. Devices, such as thermoelectric devices, may be formed of a plurality of n-type carbon nanotubes forming a film and/or a plurality of p-type carbon nanotubes forming a film. Methods of making a criss-crossed p-n nanojunction device include the steps of functionalizing a carbon nanotube to create a p-type tube, functionalizing a carbon nanotube to create an n-type tube, applying an RF field to align nanotubes of a given p- or n-type, and orienting nanotubes of different types cross-wise relative to each other to achieve criss-crossed p-n nanojunctions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a metal-based carbon fiber composite material that exhibits an improved thermal expansion coefficient and an improved thermal conductivity, and is smaller in weight. The metal-based carbon fiber composite material of the present invention comprises a metal and a carbon fiber comprising a micron carbon fiber and a nanofiber; the composite material having a first surface; the micron-size carbon fiber being oriented in one direction parallel to the first surface of the composite material, and being continuous from one end to the other end; at least 80% of the nanofiber being oriented at an angle within 30° with respect to the first surface; and the nano-size carbon fiber being oriented randomly in a plane parallel to the first surface.

Abstract: A unidirectional fiber material. An illustrative embodiment of the unidirectional fiber material includes a plurality of unidirectional reinforcing fibers, an unbound section provided along the reinforcing fibers and generally free from fill-binding material, a first bound section having a fill-binding material provided along the reinforcing fibers on a first side of the unbound section and a second bound section having a fill-binding material provided along the reinforcing fibers on a second side of the unbound section. A method of fabricating a unidirectional fiber material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A natural fibre thermoset composite product of high tensile strength, high compressive strength, high cross breaking point, high water absorption properties and a method for producing the same. The product comprises bamboo and jute fibre, resins, fillers and additives wherein bamboo and jute are present in the ratio of 1:99 to 99:1 as reinforcement material. The method of manufacture of natural fibre thermoset composite product of high tensile strength, high compressive strength, high cross breaking point, high water absorption properties comprises forming slurry with resin solution, fillers and optional additives; impregnation of bamboo and jute provided in a ratio of 1:99 to 99:1 as reinforcement material into the slurry; drying said impregnated bamboo and jute composite in oven at temperature of 100° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: Process for the production of a monolayer composite article comprising an unidirectional array of high performance polyolefin fibers, the process comprising the steps of positioning of the fibers in a coplanar, parallel fashion consolidation of the fibers to obtain the monolayer composite article, the process comprises after the step of position of the fibers and before or after the step of consolidation of the fibers, a step in which the fibers are stretched.

Abstract: A new product is made by an improved pultrusion method including the use of repetitiously moved cooled consolidation plates by the action of which excess plastic resin is allowed to escape from the sides and wherein the flow of plastic carries and shapes transverse reinforcing fibers to curve along the edge of the product preventing delamination of the product. The repetitiously moved consolidation plates provide a more accurately dimensional product and require less pultrusion drawing force than the usual cup and plunger pultrusion die.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a longitudinal fibre web (100), wherein synthetic tapes (2) with an elongated cross-sectional contour are positioned substantially parallel to each other for forming a bundle (12), wherein the tapes (2) are embedded in a matrix material (46). The tapes (2) are positioned partially overlapping each other.

Abstract: A composite laminate includes a plurality of sheets of prepreg stacked one over another, and a scrim layer provided on an exterior surface of the sheets of prepreg. Each prepreg sheet is formed of fibers preimpregnated with resin. The scrim layer and the sheets of prepreg form a composite laminate whereby the scrim layer constitutes an outer, exposed surface of the composite laminate. The scrim layer may be a nonwoven carbon or glass fiber scrim that has absorbed resin from the sheets of prepreg. A method of making a composite laminate includes placing into a mold a scrim and a plurality of sheets of prepreg, with the scrim extending between an exterior surface of the sheets of prepreg and an inner surface of the mold; forming a composite laminate whereby the scrim is adhered to the sheets of prepreg; and removing the composite laminate from the mold. An outer layer of the composite laminate includes the scrim.

Abstract: Filament-reinforced composite fibers made from a plurality of filaments and a matrix are useful in forming medical devices such as sutures and meshes.

Abstract: Devices and systems for reinforcing a construction medium, which is generally of some finite length, width, and depth. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises one or more linear reinforcing coils that can be of any desired length and dimension in combination with one or more vertical load carrying coils. Preferably, the linear reinforcing coils comprise a plurality of coil wires that have been braided or interwoven with a strand of synthetic fiber. More preferably, the linear reinforcing coils and the vertical load carrying coils include one or more load transfer tabs disposed along all or some portion of the length of each.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To bond a paper sheet containing no thermally fusible component with sufficient strength without forming a through hole, deteriorating texture and increasing the material cost. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] While pressing a second paper sheet (11) containing no thermally fusible component against a first paper sheet (10) containing no thermally fusible component, an ultrasonic wave is applied to the press contact portion so that fibers of the second paper sheet (11) enter mechanically between fibers of the first paper sheet (10) thus forming a bonding portion without requiring thermal fusion.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a plurality of reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix. The fibers have a fiber orientation of ±? with respect to an axis of loading, where ?=2 to 8 degrees to suppress or delay ply splitting.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a fiber ply for forming a preform of a composite part in the form of a body of revolution having a non-developable surface, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: defining an annular space (23) with first and second canvases (20, 21) respectively defining an inner periphery and an outer periphery thereof; placing fibers between the canvases (20, 21) by placing the fibers in the annular space in at least one direction and by holding said fibers on the canvases by stitching; implementing circular connection stitching in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the annular space (23); and cutting out the fiber ply as made in this way in the annular space (23) in order to extract it from the canvases.

Abstract: An infra-red emitting decoy flare comprising a rupturable container 13 housing combustible flakes 1 and ignition means 20 for igniting the combustible flakes 1. Each of the combustible flakes 1 comprises a fibrous, carbon containing substrate on to which has been vapor deposited on one or both faces thereof a combustible material layer which is capable, in use, of igniting substantially simultaneously the entire surface onto which it is deposited.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite material comprising at least one cold bonding phase of a plastic material with a prepreg material, and a subsequent phase of heating the semifinished product obtained to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature of the plastic material and able to induce the cross-linking of the impregnating resin present in the prepreg material.

Abstract: A method for forming a pultruded part includes collating reinforcing fibers by providing a first layer of reinforcing rovings extending in the longitudinal pultrusion direction, applying onto the first layer an intermediate layer of reinforcing fibers at least some of which include at least portions thereof which extend in the transverse direction and covering the intermediate layer with a second layer of rovings extending in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively the transverse fiber layer is formed on the inside surface of a hollow part. To the collated fibers is applied a urethane resin so as to permeate through the layers and the materials are passed through a die to form a thermo-set cross-linked poly-urethane. The transverse layer or layers are relatively thin having a weight less than or equal to 0.5 ounces per square foot and more preferably as low as 0.25 ounces or 0.1 ounces.

Abstract: A flexible insulation blanket having a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) outer layer, and a method of producing a flexible insulation blanket having a smooth, aerodynamically suitable, outer surface by infiltrating ceramic material within the outer ceramic fabric layer of the flexible insulation blanket and curing the ceramic material to form a CMC layer. The CMC layer is cured while the blanket is under compression such that the resulting CMC layer has a smooth surface.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable planar textile material with a plurality of yarn systems forming the planar textile material, wherein the planar textile material having at least one heat-shrinkable plastic yarn. The planar textile material is suitable for producing furniture elements, especially seating furniture elements, preferably backrests and/or seat elements, decorative elements, hollow channels, automotive accessories, and the like, wherein the heat-shrinkable planar textile material can be mounted on a carrier structure and then heat shrunk.

Abstract: A fender liner includes a surface layer serving as the outermost layer and an inner layer located between the surface layer and the outer surface of a wheel well. The surface layer and the inner layer are formed of nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric forming the inner layer has a higher tensile strength than that of the nonwoven fabric forming the surface layer. Accordingly, the fender liner has a favorable noise reduction capability, and has a sufficient rigidity to bear a weight increase due to water absorption. Alternatively, the nonwoven fabric forming the surface layer may have a higher bulk specific gravity and a smaller fiber diameter than those of the nonwoven fabric forming the inner layer. In this case, the noise reduction capability and the durability are both improved.

Abstract: A sailcloth in roll good form permits efficient and cost effective construction of cross cut and vertical cut, laminate sails based on “off-angle,” (assymetrical) load bearing fibers. The sailcloth also may include a conventional warp and fill thread or fiber layout. Such sailcloth illustratively is significantly less susceptible to load force stretch, creep elongation, and airfoil shape deformation because, among other things, it is not dependent on the load bearing limitations of symmetrical, woven or knitted roll good sailcloth.