Abstract: An integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions constructed from a woven fabric having a first, second and optional third woven fabric layer. A plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the first and second fabric layers such that the first fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. An additional plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the second and third fabric layers such that the third fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. Upon folding of the woven fabric layers, the integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions is formed.

Abstract: Composite materials having favorable acoustic and vibration damping properties, while maintaining or improving other composite mechanical properties, include an interleaf layer comprising at least two different nonwoven materials in a specific sequence such that a gradient is formed in the z direction upon curing or an interleaf with a compositional gradient within its structure such that a resin interpenetration gradient is achieved upon curing. Composite materials that contain multilayered nonwoven interleaves are useful, for example, in structures found in aircrafts, such as fuselage skins, stringers and frames. Also contemplated are methods of making the composite material and the structures and aircrafts that contain the composite material.

Abstract: A resin-soluble thermoplastic polymer veil toughening element for a curable composition wherein the polymer element is a non-woven veil in solid phase adapted to undergo at least partial phase transition to fluid phase on contact with a component of the curable resin matrix composition in which it is soluble at a temperature which is less than the temperature for substantial onset of gelling and/or curing of the curable composition and which temperature is less than the polymer elements melt temperature; a method for the preparation thereof, a preform support structure for a curable composition comprising the at least one thermoplastic veil element together with structural reinforcement fibers, methods for preparation thereof, a curable composition comprising the at least one thermoplastic veil element or the support structure and a curable resin matrix composition, a method for preparation and curing thereof, and a cured composite or resin body obtained thereby, and known and novel uses thereof.

Abstract: A SMC sheet includes: a sheet material body made of a resin compound containing uncured thermosetting resin; and a fiber sheet embedded as an intermediate layer in the sheet material body and impregnated with the thermosetting resin of the sheet material body. Short fiber is distributed on at least one side of the fiber sheet in the sheet material body.

Abstract: A weaving method that makes it possible to directly produce three-dimensional structures having two-dimensional walls with corners, without requiring sewing or other joining between two edges. The weave is created by turning weft threads (24) into warp threads to create at least one face. The method is particularly suitable for weaving reinforcing pieces for composite structures such as three-dimensional corner reinforcements.

Abstract: A laminated composite material is provided. The material has first and second layers. The first layer is composed of a fibrous material and a binder, and the second layer is composed of a woven material and a binder.

Abstract: A woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a central portion having a plurality of interwoven layers. The preform also includes first and second end portions having a plurality of independent woven layers that are integrally woven with the plurality of interwoven layers in the central portion and which extend along the entire length the preform. Interspersed between the plurality of independent woven layers in the first and second end portions are bias plies. The first and second end portions can have through thickness reinforcements comprising reinforcement fibers that traverse through the independent woven layers and the bias plies, locking them together.

Abstract: A fiber lamination includes a plurality of fiber layers laminated on one another. The fiber layers are at least biaxially oriented. The fiber lamination is a three-dimensional plate. The fiber lamination includes a bent portion, a first flat portion, and a second flat portion. The angle at which a connection yarn crosses the fiber layers at the first flat portion differs from the angle at which the connection yarn crosses the fiber layers at the second flat portion. Therefore, a three-dimensional fiber structure is manufactured by bending a laminated body while suppressing generation of wrinkles and distortion at the bent portion.

Abstract: An integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions constructed from a woven fabric having a first, second and optional third woven fabric layer. A plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the first and second fabric layers such that the first fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. An additional plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the second and third fabric layers such that the third fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. Upon folding of the woven fabric layers, the integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions is formed.

Abstract: An integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two directions constructed from a woven base fabric having first, second and third woven fabrics. A plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the first and second fabrics such that the first fabric is foldable relative to the second fabric. An additional plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the second and third fabrics such that the third fabric is foldable relative to the second fabric. Upon folding of the woven base fabric, the integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two directions is formed.

Abstract: A woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a central portion having a plurality of interwoven layers. The preform also includes first and second end portions having a plurality of independent woven layers that are integrally woven with the plurality of interwoven layers in the central portion and which extend along the entire length the preform. Interspersed between the plurality of independent woven layers in the first and second end portions are bias plies.

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 method for forming a material having an individually stabilized ply includes providing a ply having a non-orthogonal orientation. A stabilizing agent is then applied to maintain the orientation of the ply. The stabilizing agent could alternately be applied before forming the ply. The ply may be woven in a non-orthogonal orientation, or may have its orientation changed to the final non-orthogonal orientation. Changing may occur over multiple steps and may include using an accumulator and/or payout station to change the orientation.

Abstract: A flexible composite includes a ply having a non-orthogonal orientation. The flexible composite may be a component of a flexible assembly. The flexible assembly may be any number of fabric-based assemblies such as a radome cover of a radome, a belt for an industrial machine, an expanision joint to connect ducts of a factory, and/or a roof or skylight of a structure (notably permanent structures). The ply may be individually stabilized by a stabilizing agent such as a matrix material. The ply may be woven and may include warp yarns and fill yarns.

Abstract: A multiplayer composite doctor blade has a side edge configured for application to the surface of a rotating roll in a paper making machine. The doctor blade has an inner core and intermediate layers preferably enclosed by outer layers. The inner core is predominantly polymeric material. The intermediate layers on opposite sides of the core include reinforcing fibers. The side edge of the doctor blade has an abrasiveness as measured by ASTM test method D5181-91 of between about 4.0 to 5.0.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, drillable, reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising the reduced CTE laminate, is provided. One embodiment of the reduced CTE laminate comprises: from about 40% to 75%, preferably from about 55% to 65%, by weight resin; from about 0.05% to 0.3%, preferably from about 0.08% to 0.10%, by weight curing agent; from about 25% to 60%, preferably from about 30% to 40%, by weight, woven cloth; from about 1% to 15%, preferably from about 5% to 10%, by volume, non-woven quartz mat. The method for making reduced CTE laminate and laminate structures comprises the following steps: providing non-woven quartz mat; providing a prepreg, preferably B-stage cured to not more than about 40%, preferably not more than 30% of full cure; sandwiching the non-woven quartz mat between two layers of prepreg, and reflowing the resin of the prepreg into the quartz mat.

Abstract: A lightweight ballistic resistant rigid structural panel especially for use in aircraft interiors is disclosed. The rigid structural panel is made up of a core layer including a plurality of sheets of flexible, high-tensile strength fabric interleaved with a plurality of sheets of a thermal-fusible film adhesive, and a sheet of cushioning material adhered to the plurality of sheets of flexible, high-tensile strength fabric. Fiber-reinforced face skins are adhered to exterior surfaces of the panel core for structural strength and rigidity. The rigid structural panel is capable of resisting ballistic attack from handguns and like weapons, while maintaining a high degree of strength and rigidity.

Abstract: A flexible composite includes a ply having a non-orthogonal orientation. The flexible composite may be a component of a flexible assembly. The flexible assembly may be any number of fabric-based assemblies such as a radome cover of a radome, a belt for an industrial machine, an expanision joint to connect ducts of a factory, and/or a roof or skylight of a structure (notably permanent structures). The ply may be individually stabilized by a stabilizing agent such as a matrix material. The ply may be woven and may include warp yarns and fill yarns.

Abstract: A method for forming a material having an individually stabilized ply includes providing a ply having a non-orthogonal orientation. A stabilizing agent is then applied to maintain the orientation of the ply. The stabilizing agent could alternately be applied before forming the ply. The ply may be woven in a non-orthogonal orientation, or may have its orientation changed to the final non-orthogonal orientation. Changing may occur over multiple steps and may include using an accumulator and/or payout station to change the orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiple threat penetration resistant articles. The articles include, in order, fabric layers, polymer impregnated fabric layers, and woven fabric layers. The articles can additionally include tightly woven fabric layers which define the strike face of the article.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shell laminated structure realizing a further light weight formation of a helmet while improvement for shock absorbing characteristic is assured. There is provided a laminated structure in which either the net-like member or the sheet-like member having many holes is placed at an entire region of the shell having a reinforcing base material or between the laminated layers at a part of the shell in such a manner that the sheet-like member is extended along the layer to which its front and rear surfaces are faced, bitten into the layer and fixed. With such an arrangement as above, a further light weight formation of the shell is realized while a high safety characteristics of the helmet is assured.

Abstract: A flexible ballistic resistant article is disclosed that includes a plurality of layers of fabric having an areal density of 2 to 10 kg/m2, wherein at least two of the layers of fabric are loosely woven. The loosely woven fabric layers include fabric woven with a fabric tightness factor of 0.3 to 0.6 and are made using continuous filament yarns with a linear density of at least 200 dtex, a tenacity of at least 10 grams per dtex and a tensile modulus of at least 150 grams per dtex. Adjacent loosely woven fabric layers are joined together by means for securing the layers to restrict the movement of the loosely woven fabric layers relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiple threat penetration resistant articles. The articles include, in order, fabric layers, polymer impregnated fabric layers, and woven fabric layers. The articles can additionally include tightly woven fabric layers which define the strike face of the article.

Abstract: A process for the drying of woven glass fabric to be used in a reinforcing laminate in sensitive electronic equipment is disclosed. The process adopts a drying technique of utilizing dielectric or radio frequency heating which results in a cleaner product.

Abstract: A light-weight and impact-resistant composite material formed from a three-dimensional textile structure preform comprising at least three systems of yarns that define a plurality of interstices within the textile structure. A cellular matrix material impregnates the textile structure so as to fill the interstices of the three-dimensional textile structure and to coat at least a portion of the surface area thereof.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, drillable, reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising the reduced CTE laminate, is provided. One embodiment of the reduced CTE laminate comprises: from about 40% to 75%, preferably from about 55% to 65%, by weight resin; from about 0.05% to 0.3%, preferably from about 0.08% to 0.10%, by weight curing agent; from about 25% to 60%, preferably from about 30% to 40%, by weight, woven cloth; from about 1% to 15%, preferably from about 5% to 10%, by volume, non-woven quartz mat. The method for making reduced CTE laminate and laminate structures comprises the following steps: providing non-woven quartz mat; providing a prepreg, preferably B-stage cured to not more than about 40%, preferably not more than 30% of full cure; sandwiching the non-woven quartz mat between two layers of prepreg, and reflowing the resin of the prepreg into the quartz mat.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, drillable, reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising the reduced CTE laminate, is provided. The reduced CTE laminate comprises: from about 40% to 75%, preferably from about 55% to 65%, by weight resin; from about 0.05% to 0.3%, preferably from about 0.08% to 0.10%, by weight curing agent; from about 25% to 60%, preferably from about 30% to 40%, by weight, woven cloth; from about 1% to 15%, preferably from about 5% to 10%, by volume, non-woven quartz mat. The present invention also generally relates to a method for reducing the CTE of circuitized structures, and to methods for making reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising reduced CTE laminate.

Abstract: A drumhead lamination comprising upper and lower layers of synthetic plastic sheet materials and a layer of impregnated polyester or natural fabric sheet material sandwiched in between the systhetic plastic layers. A substance employed to impregnate the fabric, typically a liquid resin, causes the fabric to harden and stiffen to enable it to vibrate synergistically in concert with the vibrating synthetic plastic layers when the drumhead is struck by a drumstick or a similarly hard object. Laminating adhesive is used to bond the layer together. Epoxy or a similar substance is applied to the top and bottom exposed surfaces of the drumhead as a protective coating.

Abstract: A light-weight and impact-resistant composite material formed from a three-dimensional textile structure preform comprising at least three systems of yarns that define a plurality of interstices within the textile structure. A cellular matrix material impregnates the textile structure so as to fill the interstices of the three-dimensional textile structure and to coat at least a portion of the surface area thereof.

Abstract: A blast resistant laminate composite container wall construction is provided for a bomb-resistant airline baggage container for withstanding gas-expansion explosives. A PVC substrate core (26) of sufficient thickness, at least about 0.5 inch, is used to provide a substantially rigid container wall. A first layer (28) of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on one side of the core, a second layer (30) of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on the first layer, a third layer (32) of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on the second layer, a fourth layer of 0.03 inch thick random chopped strand fiberglass is on the third layer, a fifth layer of 0.03 inch thick random chopped strand fiberglass is on the fourth layer, a sixth layer of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on the other side of the core, a seventh layer of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on the sixth layer, an eighth layer of 0.02 inch thick woven roving fiberglass is on the seventh layer, a ninth layer of 0.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, drillable, reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising the reduced CTE laminate, is provided. The reduced CTE laminate comprises: from about 40% to 75%, preferably from about 55% to 65%, by weight resin; from about 0.05% to 0.3%, preferably from about 0.08% to 0.10%, by weight curing agent; from about 25% to 60%, preferably from about 30% to 40%, by weight, woven cloth; from about 1% to 15%, preferably from about 5% to 10%, by volume, non-woven quartz mat. The present invention also generally relates to a method for reducing the CTE of circuitized structures, and to methods for making reduced CTE laminate and circuitized structures comprising reduced CTE laminate.

Abstract: A two-structure composite for protection from high velocity water jets is provided and includes one structure of tightly woven aramid yarns impregnated by a resin matrix and one structure of nonwoven, bulked, material.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and processes wherein recycling of waste carpets and textiles is achieved by coating the individual yarn fibers with a low viscosity adhesive that is dispersed or dissolved in a suitable solvent to affect coverage of the fine fibers, and arranging the coated fibers in layers to affect the most desirable physical properties and then cured to provide a high modulus matrix for the coated fibers in the laminate structure. The fibers may be from unshredded or shredded waste carpets, shredded waste woven or non woven fabrics, fabric bits, and knitted fabrics. When the carpet is used in an as received condition, the face yarns, which may contain one or more components yarns, are coated and the carpets are arranged in a sandwich construction wherein the backings of the two carpets are placed back-to-back, e.g., (F-B-(B-F).sub.

Abstract: A ballistic-resistant article comprising a composite panel having a plurality of layers of ballistic-resistant cloth woven from high tensile-strength fibers laminated together by an elastomeric adhesive material having oriented polymer chains. The resulting article is less than half the thickness of comparable threat level articles, is lighter than comparable threat level articles, and is buoyant.

Abstract: A laminate wall structure which can be used as an exterior wall in manufactured housing and site built construction is made up of a low density layer having a density of from about one-half pound to three pounds per cubic foot, a second, reinforcing layer laminated to the low density layer and, optionally, a cellulosic layer laminated to the second, reinforcing layer. The low density layer is preferably a foamed polymer layer, the second, reinforcing layer is a polymer fabric, a biaxially oriented polymeric film or a fiberglass reinforced material and the cellulosic layer can be impregnated with an adhesive and/or resin in order to strengthen the laminate structure. This laminate wall structure has a low weight and yet is strong enough to meet wind zone wall diaphragm requirements for housing construction.