An instrument panel forming method is provided with: a first supply step for supplying a base material 103 that will form the base material part and the different material 303 that will form the different material part into the cavity; and a second supply step for opening, with the pressure applied on the different material 303 maintained to be greater than the pressure applied on the base material 103, the frame-shaped core 215 to bring the base material 103 into contact with the different material 303 and cause the different material 303 to protrude into the base material 103 in the central section of the boundary between the base material 103 and the different material 303 in the thickness direction of the base material 103 and the different material 303 where solidification of the base material 103 and the different material 303 is delayed.

A ballistic resistant material and structure and methods for allowing and preventing projectiles from passing through the ballistic resistant defense structure. The ballistic resistant defense structure involves a ballistic multilayer arrangement comprised of V-Profiles 100 which are further comprised of V-shaped wedges arranged adjacent to each other, spaced slightly apart, with gaps. The gaps between the V-shaped wedges expand or contract depending on which side of the V-Profile a projectile strikes.

Composite components having a T or L-shaped configuration that include features that reduce void defects between abutting laminate portions and provide improved mechanical properties are provided. Methods for forming such components are also provided. In one exemplary aspect, a composite component defines a first direction and a second direction and includes a wedged-shaped noodle at a joint interface between an abutting first laminate portion extending along the first direction and a second laminate portion extending along the second direction. The noodle has a first surface that is angled with respect to the second direction. At least one of the plies of the second laminate portion terminate and attach to the angled first surface of the noodle.

A flexible sheet of aligned carbon nanotubes includes an array of aligned nanotubes in a free standing film form not adhered to the synthesis substrate, with a matrix infiltrated interstitially into the nanotube array with access to the nanotube tips from both the top and bottom. That is, the infiltrant is purposely limited from over-filling or coating one or both exterior top and/or bottom surfaces of the array, blocking access to the tips. A typical matrix is a polymer material.

One embodiment is a method for manufacturing a stacked oxide material, including the steps of forming an oxide component over a base component; forming a first oxide crystal component which grows from a surface toward an inside of the oxide component by heat treatment, and leaving an amorphous component just above a surface of the base component; and stacking a second oxide crystal component over the first oxide crystal component. In particular, the first oxide crystal component and the second oxide crystal component have common c-axes. Same-axis (axial) growth in the case of homo-crystal growth or hetero-crystal growth is caused.

A composite structure for stab protection includes layers of flat structures placed on top of each other, and an embedding material, wherein, in at least some of the layers placed on top of each other, the flat structures of adjacent layers are offset relative to one another, the flat structures of the composite structure are at least partially embedded in the embedding material, and the composite structure includes separated connecting elements, wherein before they are separated, the separated connecting elements have connected at least some of the flat structures of adjacent layers with one another.

Provided are stiffened stringer panels with integrated indexing stacks. An example composite panel comprises a skin member having an inner surface. An index for positioning a support tool comprises a first set and second set of layered laminate stacks coupled to the inner surface such that a channel is formed between the first and second set of layered laminate stacks. The first and second set of layered laminate stacks is configured to cradle a support tool in the channel to automatically align the support tool relative to the panel. A stringer may include a cap portion that extends from the first set to the second set of layered laminate stacks to form flange portions on the inner surface of the skin member. The index and the skin member may be co-cured or co-bonded.

The disclosure herein provides for disbond resistant stringer runouts. Various aspects may be used independently or in combination to mitigate disbonding associated with the stiffener runout under operational loads. Aspects include a stiffener runout having rounded base flange corners. A recessed notch may be incorporated within the base flange to provide a flange termination point that is forward of the web termination point, allowing the web to terminate prior to the base flange. The web may be trimmed from a full height to a reduced height at the web termination point. The base flange may be co-bonded to the underlying composite structure via a scarf joint. Perimeter clamp radius fillers may be used to concentrate a clamping force around the perimeter of the base flange.

Examples are disclosed herein that relate to vehicles, composite parts, and methods for forming a composite part for a vehicle. In one example, a vehicle comprises a composite part comprising a skin comprising one or more material layers. The composite part further comprises a stiffener comprising one or more material layers, wherein the stiffener comprises a flange and a web. The composite part also includes an additively manufactured sub-structure positioned between at least a portion of the skin and at least a portion of the stiffener. The additively manufactured sub-structure comprises at least one flange portion, at least one radius, and at least one radius filler. A polymer matrix is co-infused within the skin, the stiffener, and the additively manufactured sub-structure.

A masking device for covering a masking area includes a first member having a first tab portion and a first base portion. The masking device also includes a second member having a second tab portion and a second base portion. A pull tab of the masking device includes the first tab portion coupled to the second tab portion. The masking device further includes a third member having a member connection surface and a masking connection surface. The member connection surface is opposite the masking connection surface. A base of the masking device includes the first base portion, the second base portion, and the third member. A first adhesive couples the member connection surface of the third member to the first base portion and to the second base portion. The masking connection surface of the third member is made to removably attach to the masking area.