Abstract:
A spliced fiber tow (40) having a uniform density along its entire length is provided. The spliced fiber tow is manufactured by rarefying the ends (22, 32) of the two fiber tow segments to be joined, aligning the rarefied regions (26, 36) and then applying pressurized gas to entangle the filaments in the rarefied regions. An apparatus (50) for forming the spliced fiber tow includes a pair of rarefying blades (86, 92) and an entanglement element(58).
Abstract:
A dry fiber material that includes a fiber tow form having a planar shape of predetermined width and having first major exterior surface and a second major exterior surface, and a discontinuous layer of binder resin fused to at least the first major exterior surface of the fiber tow form. The binder resin is not tacky at room temperature and the amount of binder resin fused to the exterior surface of the fiber tow is less than 20% by weight, based on the weight of the fiber tow form.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for winding a towpreg having a spool winding machine having a rod-shaped body for mounting a core of a spool, wherein the core is shuttled on the rod-shaped body to allow the towpreg to maintain a straight path substantially normal to an axis of the rod-shaped body are disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of making a sized and resin-coated fiber tow for use in a fiber reinforced composite, the method comprising the steps of providing a fiber, contacting at least a portion of the fiber with a sizing slurry to form a sized and resin-coated fiber, the sizing slurry comprising 0.1-25% by weight of a sizing agent and 20-80% by weight of a matrix-resin powder in a solvent, based on the total weight of the sizing slurry, wherein the total solid content, including the sizing agent and the matrix-resin powder, of the sizing slurry is greater than 30 wt.%. The method further comprising drying the sized and resin-coated fiber at a temperature below the melting point of the matrix-resin powder, thereby forming a dried sized and resin-coated fiber and winding the dried sized and resin-coated fiber onto a spool.
Abstract:
An apparatus to apply a resin impregnated tape to the surface of a molding tool (60), the apparatus including: an upper frame (12) rotatably mounted to a base frame (14), the upper frame having mounted thereon and rotatable therewith a spool holding assembly (16) for holding a spool of resin impregnated tape wound thereon, a tape compaction assembly (18) including a compaction roller (48) configured to conform to the surface of the molding tool for compacting the resin impregnated tape onto the surface of the molding tool, and a tape tensioning system (38) for exerting tension on the resin impregnated tape. The base frame includes a tracking system (20) for tracking the surface of the molding tool, the base frame being reciprocally movable with respect to the surface of the molding tool.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for winding a towpreg having a spool winding machine having a rod-shaped body for mounting a core of a spool, wherein the core is shuttled on the rod-shaped body to allow the towpreg to maintain a straight path substantially normal to an axis of the rod-shaped body are disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) to apply a resin impregnated tape to the surface (64) of a molding tool (60), the apparatus including: an upper frame (12) rotatably mounted to a base frame (14), the upper frame having mounted thereon and rotatable therewith a spool holding assembly (16) for holding a spool (80) of resin impregnated tape and a spool (224) of scrim material wound thereon, a tape compaction assembly (18) including a compaction roller (48) configured to conform to the surface of the molding tool for compacting the resin impregnated tape onto the surface of the molding tool, and a tape tensioning system (38) for exerting tension on the resin impregnated tape. The base frame includes a tracking system (20) for tracking the surface of the molding tool, the base frame being reciprocally movable with respect to the surface of the molding tool.
Abstract:
A composite flame barrier includes a woven or nonwoven fiber sheet material including flame resistant fibers of oxidized polyacrylonitrile; a mineral hydrate material at least partially embedded within the fiber sheet material. The fiber sheet material may be covered on one or two sides with an outer laminar material. The composite flame barrier is particularly useful in fire-rated wall assemblies, especially those designed to provide two, three and four hour fire-ratings, when tested according to ASTM E-119 or similar testing methods and standards.
Abstract:
A composite flame barrier includes a woven or nonwoven fiber sheet material including flame resistant fibers of oxidized polyacrylonitrile; a mineral hydrate material at least partially embedded within the fiber sheet material. The fiber sheet material may be covered on one or two sides with an outer laminar material. The composite flame barrier is particularly useful in fire-rated wall assemblies, especially those designed to provide two, three and four hour fire-ratings, when tested according to ASTM E-119 or similar testing methods and standards.
Abstract:
A structural core for an electrical conductor includes an inner core of a carbon fiber composite and a protective coating bonded to and surrounding the inner core. The protective coating may include discontinuous reinforcing fibers in a polymeric matrix. Alternatively, the protective coating may be substantially free of fibers.