The present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a thermoset component having a weldable thermoplastic interface. The method includes forming a polymerized thermoplastic component having a removable protective layer on a portion thereof. Another step includes placing a plurality of dry plies and the thermoplastic component into a mold of the thermoset component with the removable protective layer facing an outer surface of the thermoset component mold. Thus, the method further includes co-infusing the dry plies and thermoplastic component with a resin material so as to form the thermoset component having a weldable thermoplastic interface.

Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of 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. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation. The relative straightness of the fibers and fiber collimation provide strength elements or rods and the preform layers with high rigidity and significant compression strength.

An assembly system includes a fixture configured to support a structure including at least one component to receive a malleable material, and a bladder system coupled to the fixture. The bladder system includes a hollowed frame having sidewalls that support a bladder disposed therein. The hollowed frame has an opening that exposes an outer portion of the bladder and is configured to guide the exposed outer portion externally from the hollowed frame toward a targeted area of the structure. In response to inflating the bladder, the outer portion of the bladder extends through the opening and applies a force against the at least one component so as to form a design feature element from the malleable material.

Post-tensioning wrap with pre-packed fiber tapes in resin is wrapped under tension around a concrete article. Post-tensioning wrap comprising a plurality of fiber tapes each comprising a plurality of tendons separated by a resin. The post-tensioning wrap is then cured or partially cured so that the post-tensioning wrap forms a single, unitary material around the cylinder that is substantially impermeable.

The present disclosure generally relates to a method for dispensing material from a roll. The method monitors the weight of a first material roll using a load cell attached to a frame holding the first material roll. The method dispenses material from the first material roll. The method determines, based on at least the weight of the first material roll, when to remove a second material roll from a refrigerator or freezer to reduce the amount of time between the thawing of the second roll and replacing the first roll with the second roll. Also disclosed is an apparatus for dispensing the material from the roll.

The present invention relates to a method of molding a component (1) having one or more features (5). At least one fibrous substrate (7) is located in a mold (31, 33). A matrix-forming material (29) is also provided in the mold (31, 33). Heat is applied to melt the matrix-forming material (29) to form a matrix (9) and to integrally mold said one or more features (5).

A novel method of fabricating carbon nanotube sheet scrolled fiber and fiber tows (carbon, graphite, glass, natural polymer, synthetic polymer, metallic, silicon carbide, Kevlar, etc.) in composites with improved interfacial shear strength, compressive strength, yield strength, stiffness and toughness has been reported. Single or multiple layers of carbon nanotube sheet, with a bias/wrapping angle of 0° and 90°, has been scrolled around single fiber and fibers tows to improve the above mentioned mechanical properties of the matrix surrounding the fiber. Other common methods of growing CNTs directly on the fibers actually damage the fiber surface during the required precursor deposition and CNTs growth process. This demonstrated solid-state method overcomes such known problems. The CNTs sheet scrolled fiber is embedded into the polymer matrix exhibits significant (80%) increase in interfacial shear strength, compressive strength and toughness.

Systems and methods are provided for dynamically altering the shape of a forming tool for a composite part during forming. An exemplary forming tool includes a main body that holds a first portion of a multi-layer laminate, and a platform that holds a second portion of the laminate aligned with the first portion. The forming tool also includes a biasing device that repositions the second portion with respect to the first portion during forming of the laminate, causing shear stresses between the layers of the laminate.

A molding method for fabricating a composite part having inserts is provided including disposing preforms in a mold, each having co-aligned, resin-impregnated fibers, placing the inserts in the mold adjacent to at least one of the preforms, wherein each insert has securement features for receiving a portion of the co-aligned resin-impregnated fibers from at least one preform, and applying heat and pressure in an amount sufficient to consolidate the resin-impregnated fibers into a resin matrix, thereby forming the part, including consolidating the fibers and resin within the securement features. A fiber composite part is also provided including continuous, co-aligned fibers within a resin matrix, and at least one insert disposed in the matrix, the insert comprising at least one securement feature having a second plurality of the fibers therein, the second plurality of fibers extending into the resin matrix and overlapping with some of the first plurality of fibers.

The present invention provides a conductive metal resin multilayer body that comprises: a metal foil; and a resin layer which is arranged on at least one surface of the metal foil, and which contains a resin, organic fibers and a conductive filler that is formed of a non-metal material.