Abstract: The present invention provides a coating type reinforcement composition of sheet metal which can be applied under warming for ensuring satisfactory levels of tensile rigidity and resistance to dent of a thin sheet metal mainly due to weight reduction of an automobile body, or for collision safety, and which improve a bending strength and a rigidity of the sheet metal without causing a distortion to the sheet metal. The coating type reinforcement composition of sheet metal according to the present invention comprises a liquid epoxy resin, a latent curing agent and an inorganic filler having an aspect ratio (L/D) of 5 or higher, an amount of the inorganic filler contained being 20 to 50% by weight and the composition being a viscous preparation with a high viscosity.

Abstract: A structural article comprises a substrate having an ionic charge coated on one side with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and covered on the other side with a water vapor impermeable material selected from the roof consisting essentially of metal foils and preformed plastic films. The coating consists essentially of a filler material and a binder material and the binder material bonds the filler material together and to the substrate. The water vapor impermeable material is attached to the coated substrate with an adhesive. In additional embodiments, the substrate is coated on both sides with a coating having essentially the same ionic charge and the article so coated is then covered on one or both sides with the water vapor impermeable material.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced panel and a method of forming the panel are disclosed. The reinforced panel includes a panel portion, a reinforcement material and a buffer material disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Thermoplastic welding is an emerging technology targeted at significantly reducing the manufacture of aerospace structure by eliminating fasteners and the touch labor associated with fasteners to prepare, install, and inspect the assemblies. Thermoplastic welds, however, suffer from significant residual tensile strain caused by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the carbon fiber reinforced composite laminates and the unreinforced weld. We alleviate this strain by adding fiber reinforcement to the weld using a structural susceptor which is a laminate of alternating layers of thermoplastic resin and fiber reinforcement sandwiching a conventional metal susceptor. A further advantage of the structural susceptor is the ability to peel it in selected locations to fill the gap between the laminates, eliminating costly profilometry of the faying surfaces and the associated problem of resin depletion where machining occurred to match the faying surfaces.

Abstract: At least one section of a jib of a crane, such as a mobile crane, includes a composite cross-section incorporating a layer of steel covered by one or more fiber composite layers. In a preferred embodiment, more than one fiber composite layer is included and the respective fiber layers are disposed in a criss-cross manner with respect to each other to enhance the overall strength of the telescopic part. Also, in a preferred embodiment the steel layer of the composite is on the interior of the telescopic part for minimizing thermal stresses due to temperature changes caused by sun loads. In another preferred embodiment, the composite fiber layers are disposed only in the zone of the cross-section of the telescopic part, which is subjected to tensile forces during use.

Abstract: A soil-covering structure comprises layers of geocomposite which enclose a reinforcing element and which are engaged with the latter at predetermined positions only.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a fiber-reinforced material which is composed, at least in a region of a surface layer, of a ceramic composite and has carbon-containing fibers reaction-bonded to a matrix containing the elements Si and C. In particular a method of producing fiber-reinforced silicon carbide is provided in which a structure of a matrix contains cracks and/or pores, at least at ambient temperature, because of a high thermal expansion coefficient compared with that of the fibers. Metals are selectively electrodeposited in the open pores and cracks of the matrix and, in particular, in a region of the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. As a result, the open pores and cracks are filled and, in addition, metallic top layers are optionally formed that are firmly keyed to the ceramic composite and that may serve as an interlayer for glass top layers or ceramic top layers.

Abstract: A molded article including a plastic layer and an outer film over the plastic layer forming a composite laminate with the plastic layer and a process for preparing same. The outer film has an inner surface adjacent and bonded to the plastic layer and an outer surface opposed to the inner surface. The molded article also includes a reinforcing material adhered to the inner surface of the outer film layer and preferably at least partly embedded in the inner surface of the outer film layer.

Abstract: An aluminum-thermoplastic composite surface structure. A sheet of aluminum is formed to a single-sided mold by heating the sheet and applying a ramp of gas pressure. A thermoplastic resin is heated and microballons are added to the resin to lower the viscosity of the resin, which is applied through a nozzle in a hexagonal pattern on the formed aluminum sheet. Upon cooling, the composite resin forms a honeycomb pattern. The hexagonal pattern transitions to a columnar pattern and a backing layer of aluminum sheet is gas pressure formed to the resin composite. Gas forming of the aluminum sheet results in aspect ratios of up to 0.6, and the sheet maintains a clean surface that bonds to the applied resin.

Abstract: A friction material, including a fibrous reinforcement, a friction modifier, a lubricant and a binder, comprising a water-repellent fluoropolymer incorporated therein. The further incorporation of an alkaline metal salt makes it possible to render the matrix more hydrophilic and hence reduce creep noise. The foregoing fluoropolymer is one selected from the group consisting of ethylene tetrafluoride polymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer and polyvinylidene fluoride or a combination thereof.