Abstract: A composite material is disclosed which includes a sheet of a prepreg including a multitude of substantially uniaxially oriented filaments having a diameter of 3-16 .mu.m and impregnated with a thermosetting resin, and a multiplicity of metal single fibers having a diameter of 50-300 .mu.m and bonded to at least one surface of the sheet with the thermosetting resin, the single fibers being spaced apart from each other with a predetermined space and arranged substantially in parallel with the filaments.

Abstract: A flexible article of manufacture especially suitable for use as a ballistic resistant body armor which comprises one or more composite layers, at least one of said composite layers comprising a base layer having a plurality of planar bodies positioned between two sandwiching flexible layers out of contact with each other and a plurality of planar bodies positioned on a surface of said base layer out of contact with each other and in disalignment with the sandwiched planar bodies.

Abstract: A tear webbing includes two woven straps each having a first length portion and an adjoining second length portion. The woven straps are, along the first length portion, in a parallel, superposed orientation and in a face-to-face engagement with one another and a binding yarn connects the woven straps to one another along the first length portion. The woven straps which are separate from one another along the second length portion are adapted to be exposed, in the second length portion, to pulling forces causing a progressive separation of the woven straps along the first length portion under an irreversible energy absorption. The tear webbing further includes an elastic coating matrix in which the woven straps are at least partially embedded along the first length portion.

Abstract: A woven fabric of yarns spun from poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) staple fiber has been designed to provide protective garments of improved comfort.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced foamed material comprises a foamed body of a resin having a flexural elasticity modulus not smaller than 150 kg/mm.sup.2, reinforcement fibers, and a bonding component through which the reinforcement fibers are integrated with the foamed body so as to reinforce the foamed body.A method for producing a fiber-reinforced foamed material comprises the steps of: providing a material having a potential foamability; providing a composite fibrous material in the form of composite fibers and/or composite yarns each having a first component and a second component; and allowing the foamable material to foam together with the composite fibers or composite yarns at a temperature 10.degree. C. or more higher than the thermal deformation temperature or melting temperature of the first component and 20.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved article of the type comprising one or more flexible fibrous layers wherein the fibers in each layer are arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another along a common fiber direction with fibers in adjacent layers aligned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal fiber axis of the fibers contained in the layers.

Abstract: A flexible article of manufacture especially suitable for use as a ballistic resistant body armor which comprises a flexible substrate layer having a plurality of planar non-metallic bodies mechanically affixed to a surface thereof.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber-ceramic composite filter having a support composed of ceramic fibers, preferably texturized, a carbonaceous layer thereover, and a silicon carbide coating over the carbonaceous layer and coated on substantially all of the fibers. A strong, tough, light weight filter is achieved which is especially useful in high temperature gas environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced veneer laminate comprising at least one layer of veneer and at least one layer of polyethylene filaments enveloped by resin and possessing a tensile strength of at least 1.2 GPa and a modulus of at least 30 GPA.The reinforced veneer laminate bends very well and has a good resistance against static mechanical loads and mechanical impact loads.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein a plurality of layers of yarns are laid down in a diamond shaped pattern on a rotating cylindrical mandrel wherein the yarn walls forming the diamond shaped pattern cover the openings of each adjacent layer. The yarns are formed of refractory oxide filaments which are coated with a refractory ceramic to form a filter or trap for removing particulates from combustion exhausts.

Abstract: An oxide barrier coating for a reinforcing fiber is provided with a preselected microstructure and thickness through control of the concentration of metal salt in heat decomposable form as a precursor of metal oxide. In one form, the salt is a metal oxyhalide salt such as zirconium oxyhalide or hafnium oxyhalide. Fibers, such as ones of alumina, aluminasilicate or silicon carbide, having the coating of the invention are especially useful as reinforcing fibers for reinforced ceramic matrix composites.

Abstract: A composite of an adhesive layer, foil, a fire retardant fabric, and a hydrogel which is used to protect objects during laser surgery and which possesses favorable burning, flashing, and resistance to burn through properties. The hydrogel is preferably a hydrophilic material such as a polyurethane, collagen, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, or polyvinyl acetal. The fire retardant fabric is preferably a fabric woven or knitted from polyamide or polyimide fibers having a thickness sufficient to provide the desired degree of protection. The composite is applied to the object to be protected, which can be a person or an endotracheal tube or surgical instrument, using the adhesive to adhere the composite thereto.

Abstract: A composite member (10) features a unique ply geometry which contributes to improved bending strength. The composite is constructed of a plurality of plies, each comprising a fiber component disposed within a polymer matrix. An inner ply (16) has a fiber component (18) which has fibers which are circumferentially extending. An intermediate ply (22) has first axially extending fibers (24) which are disposed about the circumference of the composite, as well as second axial fibers (30) which are interwoven with helically oriented fibers (36) and embedded in a polymer matrix (14). An outer layer (38) is similar to the inner layer as it features circumferentially extending fibers (40) which are embedded in a polymer matrix.The composite materials may be used to manufacture a wide range of items which require light weight combined with high strength.

Abstract: A flexible unidirectional glass prepreg comprising glass rovings having a thickness of 50 to 150 .mu.m and formed of glass fiber monofilaments having a diameter of 10 to 20 .mu.m and a matrix resin impregnated between the fiber monofilaments.

Abstract: A woven fabric for ballistic protection is disclosed wherein the fibers in the fill direction exhibit an elongation to break greater than the elongation to break of the fibers in the warp direction.

Abstract: To improve forming properties of laminated structures comprising two sheets of a non-ferrous metal alloy connected by an adhesive, which hardens at heating and between which an adhesive layer is bonded to the metal sheets, a new sequence of heat treatments is proposed. The alloy of the sheets is in soft condition before the sheets are bonded to each other. The bonding temperature and time are selected such that it remains substantially in soft condition and only after forming further heating is applied to obtain hardening of the alloy sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles consisting of highly oriented polyolefins having an ultrahigh molecular weight of more than 600,000 g/mol (weight-average molecular weight), especially filaments, fibers, yarns, fabrics and films, having good wetting and adhesive properties, especially on conventional matrix materials, which have been subjected to a plasma treatment of their surface, and also to a process for producing these articles and to their use for the manufacture of composites with the use of conventional matrix materials. In these composites, yarns according to the invention, for example, show a substantially higher adhesive strength than corresponding yarns which have not been plasma-treated, their tensile strength not being impaired by the plasma treatment.

Abstract: A composition comprising a three dimensional substantially carbon or inorganic structural element suitable for high temperature use and a tin oxide-containing coating thereon.

Abstract: A thermal protection device for protecting walls of structures exposed to ablative flow at high temperatures in the presence of vibrations comprises, embedded in a thermally insulative matrix, a refractory armature formed by a fringed mat comprising a meshed part exposed to the ablative flow and fringes intended to be directed towards the wall of the structure to be protected. The device further comprises an open-weave refractory woven material parallel to the meshed part of the armature and through which the fringes pass.

Abstract: From 3 to 25 g/m.sup.2, in particular from 5 to 10 g/m.sup.2 of a pulverulent reactive hot-melt composition including a prepolymer and a hardener for the latter are applied onto one or two faces of textile reinforcement. The hardener becomes active only at a temperature above that at which the powder softens to become tacky. This powder on one or two faces makes it possible in particular to preform the reinforcement before it is employed for the manufacture of an article made of composite material.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite articles of complex shape are made with improved physical integrity and control over fiber alignment by a process wherein prepreg comprising fibers and powdered matrix is treated to shorten the average length of the fibers, then configured without binder removal into a preform of selected shape and fiber orientation, and finally consolidated with heat and pressure into a dense ceramic matrix composite article. Fiber breakage during the consolidation process is thereby avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double cloth comprising a face cloth and a back cloth which are made of warp and weft threads and are held together by tied-in pile threads. To form a double plush cloth of high strength and stiffness it is provided that the warp and weft threads are each crossed by a warp thread float foundation weave, and additional cover weft threads essentially extended and floating on the outer surfaces of the face and/or back cloths are tied in by the warp threads, with adjacent cover weft threads being tied in by different warp threads of the particular face or back cloth.

Abstract: A thermal protection coating for a surface having a reinforcement embedded in a thermally insulative material as a main layer. This layer is formed from a succession of refractory fibrous reinforcements parallel to each other and inclined at an angle to the surface being protected. Insulative layers are located between the reinforcements. An insulating sublayer is located between the surface and the main layer and is compatible with the main layer and the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved flexible towpreg and a method of production therefor. The improved flexible towpreg comprises a plurality of towpreg plies which comprise reinforcing filaments and matrix forming material; the reinforcing filaments being substantially wetout by the matrix forming material such that the towpreg plies are substantially void-free composite articles, and the towpreg plies having an average thickness less than about 100 microns.

Abstract: Shaped articles such as fibers, films, tapes, rods and the like are fabricated from composites of nonconducting, flexible chain carrier polymers and conductive, conjugated polymers. The shaped, composite articles are electrically conductive and also display excellent mechanical properties, i.e., with respect to tensile strength, elongation at break, and the like. Methods of preparing the novel composite articles are disclosed as well.

Abstract: An advanced composite or reinforcing substrate is produced with a decorative surface layer, made of a thin veneer of cloth, fabric, paper, wood, vinyl or other material, which is structurally, integrally bonded to the reinforcing substate by simultaneoulsy forming the decorative surface layer together with the substrate to partially or totally encapsulate the substrate and decorative surface layer together with substrate resins. When the resins are catalyzed and cured, a structurally strong and decorative unit as an integral element, results. The process for making the components is particularly suited to a pultrusion process.

Abstract: Layered, fiber-reinforced composites toughened by the use of thermosetting matrix resins including rigid particles are improved in toughness when the particles are porous and have a spheroidal spongy structure, are formed of a polyamide. The method of the invention is particularly effective in improving the toughness of composites based on thermoset matrix resins, and particularly epoxy resins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a woven fabric used for production of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin laminates wherein each or warps and wefts which constitute the fabric comprises at least one kind of thermoplastic resin yarns and at least one kind of reinforcing yarns and the reinforcing yarns of the warps and wefts as such constitute a weave. The weave constituted of only the reinforcing yarns is preferably a plain weave. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin laminates made by compression molding a laminate of said woven fabrics are high in strength.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite products comprising boron-nitride-coated reinforcing silicon carbide fibers disposed in a substantially non-porous alkaline earth aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix are disclosed, the matrix comprising triclinic anorthite (CaO,SrO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2) as the principal crystal phase and the products exhibiting unexpectedly good resistance to high-temperature degradation.

Abstract: A nonwoven planar preform sheet for a polymer composite consisting of 20% to 80% by weight reinforcing fibers and 20% to 80% by weight matrix resin, the reinforcing fibers being from 1/8 to 6 inches in length from 1 to 50 micrometers in diameter, and being arrayed in the composite as chips of from 2 to 5000 parallel filaments, each substantially uniformly coated with matrix resin, all of the filaments of each chip ending in a single plane orthogonal to the filament direction, where the thickness of the chips is from 1 to 50 filament diameters and the length to thickness ratio is greater than 100. The chips may be either randomly oriented or oriented in the same direction in the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymer films are laminated to a textile substrate in a specific fashion to produce a fabric especially useful for sail panels.

Abstract: A fabric made up of thermoplastic fibers and of reinforcing fibers, comprising, in a superposed manner, at least two tissues (1, 4) joined firmly to each other, in which in order to obtain a thermoplastic fabric, at least one (1) of the superposed tissues is dedicated to reinforcement and comprises predominantly fibers (2, 3) of reinforcing material, and at least one other (4) of the superposed tissues constitutes a thermoplastic matrix and comprises predominantly fibers (5, 6) of thermoplastic resin, while the gap (8) between a reinforcing tissue (1) and an adjacent thermoplastic tissue (4) is free of any inserted material other than that (7) used to join these two tissues firmly together.

Abstract: A method for molding fiber reinforced articles with superior mechanical properties by injection molding. The method comprises heating a mixture of molding compound and chopper fiber to produce highly viscous substance. Pressure is applied to force the substance through an elongated injection slot oriented perpendicular to the major axial dimension of the finished article, causing the fiber planes to become oriented in a unique whorled, accordion like manner. The unusual fiber plane orientation reinforces the article such that it is resistant to crack propagation.

Abstract: A deformable multi-layer fabric for use in forming heat resistant bodies is proposed which comprises a multi-layer fabric formed from carbon yarns, the yarns being provided in plural from in the warp and/or weft directions and preferably in plural form throughout the whole of the fabric. The warp yarns in each group C1-C12 exist in side-by-side disposition while the individual weft yarns of each group W1-W6 are subjected to a small degree of twist. The fabric is capable of ready deformation without cutting and facilitates the creation of complex shapes or profiles without reference to the warp direction thereof.

Abstract: A fiber-organic composition includes from about 5% to 50% by volume of uniformly dispersed, non-planar or three dimensionally random oriented inorganic fibers or whiskers, and a thermoplastic material such as paraffin wax. The composition also includes surfactants to promote wetting and dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. These materials are subjected to high shear mixing to form a uniform randomly oriented three-dimensional dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. After molding the mixture in such a manner so as not to disrupt the uniform, three-dimensional orientation of the fibers or whiskers, a majority of the thermoplastic material is removed leaving a shaped body or preform having sufficient strength for handling. The shaped body or preform can then be infiltrated with molten metal or the like to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an oriented thread structure for lamination and/or protective purposes is disclosed in which preferably glass, carbon, aramide, borax or ceramic reinforcing threads (1), in general are bound to form an oriented thread mat. The mat can be laminated inside a resin or other binder to form a strong shell structure, in which the strength of the shell is principally based on the strength of the above-mentioned reinforcing threads (1). The laminable thread structure can be easily formed on the surface of a mold and avoids air-bubbles in the laminate. The reinforcing threads (1) are bound to a basic knitted structure consisting of one-sided loops (2) by loops (3, 4) running transversely in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A carbon fiber structure suitable for use in high performance composites which structure is characterized by a primary carbon fiber structure having carbon filaments grown therefrom, wherein substantially all of the filaments are in the form selected from branched, spiral, helical, or a combination thereof. The carbon filaments are grown from the carbon fibers by use of an alloy catalyst comprises of a first metal selected from Group IB of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and one or more metals from a second group of metals selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, and zinc; and optionally a metal from a third group of metals selected from titanium, tungsten, tin and tantalum.

Abstract: A glass matrix/ceramic fiber reinforcement composite is prepared from a yarn formed by spinning glass fiber and ceramic fibers lengths together, to form a bicomponent yarn. The yarn is weavable and spinnable, and accordingly may be prepared in fabric forms, or in windings, of predetermined shape. The precursor is melted by heating to the temperature of the melting point of glass, which fused the glass into a continuous matrix, surrounding the ceramic reinforcement.

Abstract: Disclosed are a high-purity alumina continuous filament woven fabric comprising a high-purity alumina continuous filament having an alumina content of at least 95% by weight and a filament diameter of 5 to 20 .mu.m, a hybrid woven fabric comprising this high-purity alumina continuous filament and a high-strength continuous filament having a tensile stength of at least 200 kg/mm.sup.2, processes for the preparation of these woven fabrics, a high-purity alumina continuous filament valuable for the production of these woven fabrics, and a process for the preparation of this high-purity alumina continuous filament. These woven fabrics are very useful as a reinforcing fibrous substrate of a fiber-reinforced composite material or as a heat-insulating material.

Abstract: A unidirectional textile reinforcement fabric for use in laminated articles and a method of making such fabric from conventional warp and weft fabric is shown in which the filament bundles in one of either warp or weft are substantially broken with little or no damage to the other.

Abstract: Silicon carbide fibers which are derived from oligomeric and/or polymeric precursors are modified and strengthened in annealing the silicon carbide fiber at temperatures in excess of 800.degree. C. under a nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of carbon particles. The modified fibers can be used to make ceramic, metal, and plastsic composites.

Abstract: A light weight honeycomb structure is disclosed made from aramid fibers and exhibiting extremely high shear modulus.

Abstract: To produce mouldings for screening against electromagnetic radiation it is highly advantageous to use metal fibre-containing composite materials as obtained by impregnating a bundle of continuous metal filament fibres with a polymeric adhesion-promoting substance, sheathing the resulting compact precursor with a thermoplastic matrix and cutting the resulting extrudate of composite material into defined lengths.The composite materials can be used as such or together with thermoplastic granules.

Abstract: A carbon fiber reinforced thermosetting resin molding formed from unidirectionally-arranged carbon fiber prepregs which contain the resin in an amount of 19 to 29% by weight and a method for producing such moldings.

Abstract: The elastic modulus and density of an amorphous, ceramic article derived from a resinous organosilicon polymer and having a composition consisting essentially of silicon, nitrogen and/or carbon are increased while substantially maintaining or improving tensile strength by heat treating the ceramic article at an elevated temperature under superatmospheric nitrogen pressure to increase its density while avoiding crystallization. During heat treatment, at least some of the conditions of time, temperature, heating rate, cooling rate, pressure and atmosphere are controlled to minimize erosion of the article which could otherwise occur due to the loss to the surrounding atmosphere, as a gas or gaseous component, of at least one of nitrogen, silicon and carbon. The heat treated, ceramic article is amorphous and non-crystalline and has a density substantially greater than 2.5 g/cc together with desirable values of tensile strength and elastic modulus.

Abstract: A method of preparing porous fiber reinforced polymer composite sheets has been developed to allow a more efficient preheating of the sheet prior to molding and includes the steps of blending reinforcing fibers with resin matrix forming fibers to form a web. This web is then heated to a temperature wherein the resin matrix forming fibers melt and envelope the reinforcing fibers, taking them together at crossover points. The resultant web can then be directly heated very efficiently for molding. This web is highly porous allowing rapid heating at moderate pressure differentials during subsequent preheat steps. The microstructure created when the resin matrix forming fibers are initially melted further enhances heating capability because the structure retains porosity during the subsequent heating step required for molding.

Abstract: In a hollow cylindrical structural member consisting of resin impregnated fibers wound in alternate layers of circumferential and helical windings disposed on top of one another and having reinforcing support ring structures formed at its axial ends by additional circumferential windings, the additional windings include inner and outer layers of windings of different strength fibers wherein the fibers of the outer layers have a modulus of elasticity which is smaller than that of the fibers of the inner fiber layers so that, particularly for use with high speed rotors, the centrifugal forces do not cause separation between outer and inner layers.

Abstract: A bonded laminate having high anti-piercing characteristics, which comprises a plurality of fiber material layers impregnated with a thermosetting resin and a plurality of fiber material layers impregnated with a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A composite is produced by admixing a matrix-forming material with organic binding material, forming the resulting mixture into a tape, disposing a layer of fibrous material between at least two of the tapes to form a layered structure, laminating the layered structure, heating the layered structure to remove organic binding material and hot pressing the resulting porous structure to form a composite containing a layer of fibrous material.

Abstract: A method for dissipating static electrical energy from air cushion vehicles hen operating more particularly in cold, low humidity environments, which method involves fabricating the skirt assembly from a flexible sheet material of at least semiconductive character which will provide a suitable dissipating grounding pathway to discharge potential static electrical energy generated during the aforesaid operation thereof. The method includes utilizing a coated flexible fabric material having at least one of its opposite surfaces coated with an elastomeric abrasion-resistant material, and embedding a plurality of electrically conductive flexible strands at least partially within said flexible fabric material, or alternatively embedding electrically conductive particles or fibers in a generally uniformly manner throughout a forming of its elastomeric composition.