Multi-functional and high-performing fabric comprising a first layer of yarns woven to form the fabric wherein the yarns comprise at least one unitary graphene-based continuous graphitic fiber comprising at least 90% by weight of graphene planes that are chemically bonded with one another having an inter-planar spacing d.sub.002 from 0.3354 nm to 0.4 nm as determined by X-ray diffraction and an oxygen content less than 5% by weight. A majority of the graphene planes in such a continuous graphitic fiber are parallel to one another and parallel to a fiber axis direction. The graphitic fiber contains no core-shell structure, has no helically arranged graphene domains or domain boundaries, and has a porosity level less than 5% by volume, more typically less than 2%, and most typically less than 1% (practically pore-free).

A wrappable textile sleeve with closure system and method of construction is provided. The sleeve has a wall of interlaced yarn with opposite edges extending in a lengthwise direction along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The opposite edges are wrappable into overlapping relation with one another to form a tubular cavity. The wall has a first set of closed loops positioned adjacent one of the opposite edges and a second set of closed loops positioned adjacent the other of the opposite edges. At least one flexible lace is disposed through the closed loops in a zig-zag pattern, thereby extending back-and-forth between the first set of loops and the second set of loops. The flexible lace is slidable through the plurality of loops to facilitate drawing and maintaining the opposite edges in overlapping relation with one another.

The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabrics complete the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.

A UniDirectional (UD) preimpregnated material (prepreg) and method of production are provided. A plurality of reinforced fibers are arranged in one direction. At least one auxiliary fiber is arranged such that it crosses the plurality of reinforced fibers to maintain the arrangement of the plurality of reinforced fibers. The plurality of reinforced fibers and the at least one auxiliary fiber are impregnated with a coupling material, and the coupling material is cured with the plurality of reinforced fibers and the at least one auxiliary fiber.

Lightweight, breathable, non-woven fibrous materials and composite articles incorporating the same are provided. Composite articles are formed by merging an open, non-woven grid formed from high tenacity elongate bodies with at least one substrate, forming an article having excellent tensile strength, excellent breathability and a unique aesthetic appearance.

This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S-X-(A).sub.n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A).sub.n, represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin. The fiber-reinforced composite formed may be at least 70 wt. % glass fiber.

A fabric containing carbon fibers impregnated with a silicone, polyurethane or acrylic emulsion which is then dried together with the fabric is disclosed. A protective layer containing a film, a woven or non-woven fabric is applied onto one side of the fabric.

Disclosed herein are polyesters and fibers made therefrom. The fiber comprises a polymer, poly(trimethylene furandicarboxylate) (PTF), and PTF based copolymers.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.