The present invention contemplates a method for forming a composite structure including a plurality of rigid layers and one or more reformable epoxy resin layers. The resulting composite is molded to form a non-planar composite structure.

A high torque sprocket includes a body defining an outer periphery and a hub section defining an inner surface for engaging a bushing. A continuous toothed structure is disposed on the outer periphery of the body, and a textile reinforcement embedded in the body adjacent the inner surface of the hub section. The body is formed of a castable polymer material. In some cases, one or two optional flanges are disposed on side(s) of the body immediately adjacent the continuous toothed structure, in some aspects, a textile reinforcement may be embedded in a surface of the flange(s) immediately adjacent the continuous toothed structure. In some aspects, the high torque sprocket further includes a textile reinforcement embedded in the continuous toothed structure outer surface, and the textile reinforcement is selected from nylon, cotton, aramid, PTFE, and mixtures thereof.

Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

A high-pressure tank comprises a liner, a strengthening layer including a first helical layer and a first hoop layer each including a carbon fiber, and a protective layer including a second helical layer and a second hoop layer each including a glass fiber, in this order. The high-pressure tank is provided with a stress-generating portion, a reinforcement layer includes a first area α overlapping the stress-generating portion in a stacking direction and a second area β that is an area except for the first area, and a one-round portion including a final crossing portion at an end of winding of the glass fiber constituting the second hoop layer overlaps the second area in the stacking direction.

Structurally enhanced preformed layers of multiple rigid unidirectional rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements in a variety of composite components, e.g. wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Individual rods include aligned unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation. The relative straightness of the fibers and fiber collimation provide rods and the preform layers with high rigidity and significant compression strength. A plurality of rods are loosely attached, e.g. knitted, together with a coupling that allows for each rod to be axially displaced, e.g. slideable, relative to another rod.

A method for preparing a pre-bond surface of a composite structure includes the steps of: (1) separating a peel ply, co-cured with a composite substrate, from the composite substrate; and (2) transferring an identifiable marking agent from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate. Residue of the peel ply, transferred from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate, is layered on the identifiable marking agent.

A method for preparing a pre-bond surface of a composite structure includes the steps of: (1) separating a peel ply, co-cured with a composite substrate, from the composite substrate; and (2) transferring an identifiable marking agent from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate. Residue of the peel ply, transferred from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate, is layered on the identifiable marking agent.

The invention provides a method for preparing a fiber-reinforced part based on cyanate ester or a cyanate ester/epoxy blend, comprising the steps of (i) providing a liquid mixture comprising (a) from 15 to 99.9 wt. % of at least one di- or polyfunctional cyanate ester, (b) from 0 to 84.9 wt. % of at least one di- or polyfunctional epoxy resin, and (c) from 0.1 to 25 wt. % of a metal-free catalyst; (ii) providing a fiber structure (iii) placing said fiber structure in a mold or in a substrate, (iv) impregnating said fiber structure with said liquid mixture, (v) curing said liquid mixture by applying a temperature of 30 to 300° C. Using the method of the invention it is possible to produce in a short cycle time, using composite manufacturing processes such as resin transfer molding and infusing technology, fiber reinforced composite parts based on a cyanate ester or cyanate ester/epoxy resin formulation. The fiber-reinforced parts obtainable by the above method are also an object of the invention.

An assembly of two parts, one of the parts being made of composite material with fiber reinforcement obtained from a fiber preform made by three-dimensional weaving and densified with a matrix, the assembly including a mechanical anchor element secured to one of the parts and inserted inside the other part.

An assembly of two parts, one of the parts being made of composite material with fiber reinforcement obtained from a fiber preform made by three-dimensional weaving and densified with a matrix, the assembly including a mechanical anchor element secured to one of the parts and inserted inside the other part.