The present invention is generally directed to prepreg composites, typically in the form of unidirectional tapes, which contain at least one reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic polyester matrix. The prepreg composites can be thermally bonded to a wood-containing material in order to improve the structural performance of the material without requiring adhesives. The prepreg composite of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of wood substrates, including various hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered wood composites.

There is provided with a cylindrical member that can be easily increased in size. The cylindrical member comprises a first cylindrical member that is constituted by a cylindrical fiber reinforced plastic member that has a first metal film on a surface thereof and a second cylindrical member that is constituted by a cylindrical fiber reinforced plastic member that has a second metal film on a surface thereof. The first metal film and the second metal film are joined to each other. The first metal film and the second metal film may be welded to each other. A joining member may pass through a first metal film and a second metal film.

There is provided with a cylindrical member that can be easily increased in size. The cylindrical member comprises a first cylindrical member that is constituted by a cylindrical fiber reinforced plastic member that has a first metal film on a surface thereof and a second cylindrical member that is constituted by a cylindrical fiber reinforced plastic member that has a second metal film on a surface thereof. The first metal film and the second metal film are joined to each other. The first metal film and the second metal film may be welded to each other. A joining member may pass through a first metal film and a second metal film.

A vehicle component is provided that includes a first cured layer of a molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped glass fibers, a second cured layer of molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped carbon fibers, and a bonding agent with elongation properties configured to accommodate the differential coefficients of linear thermal expansion between the first cured layer and the second cured layer. The second cured layer is substantially devoid of glass fiber. The bonding agent is an elastomeric adhesive, which is operative from 40 to 205 C. The first cured layer forms an outer skin layer surface of a vehicle and the second cured layer forms an interior layer, where the outer skin layer surface has a class-A finish.

A vehicle component is provided that includes a first cured layer of a molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped glass fibers, a second cured layer of molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped carbon fibers, and a bonding agent with elongation properties configured to accommodate the differential coefficients of linear thermal expansion between the first cured layer and the second cured layer. The second cured layer is substantially devoid of glass fiber. The bonding agent is an elastomeric adhesive, which is operative from 40 to 205 C. The first cured layer forms an outer skin layer surface of a vehicle and the second cured layer forms an interior layer, where the outer skin layer surface has a class-A finish.

A glass/quartz composite structure comprises quartz grit, quartz powder and glass grit wherein the glass grit is in an amount greater than 50% by weight of the composite structure, and a binding resin. The glass/quartz composite structure may be formed into a 1.2-1.5 cm thick slab for countertops using standard cabinet perimeter support. The slab may be made by mixing the quartz grit, the quartz powder, the glass grit, and the binding resin, pouring the mixture in a mold, and compacting the mixture in the mold. Specific natural mineral components may be added to the glass/quartz/resin composite structure to provide aesthetics of specific natural stones.

Co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester gel coats having improved toughness and flexibility compared with conventional polyester gel coats are disclosed. The gel coats, which have 10-50 wt. % urethane content, adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Co-cured elastomeric coatings comprising from 50 to 95 wt. % of a urethane component and an unsaturated polyester, epoxy, or vinyl ester are also disclosed. Unlike conventional urethane coatings, the elastomeric coatings adhere well to structural layers and can be used in a traditional in-mold process. Castings or structural layers comprising a reinforced thermoset of co-cured urethane and vinyl ester, epoxy, or unsaturated polyester components, including 10-95 wt. % of the urethane component, are also described. The invention includes in-mold processes for making laminates that utilize the gel coats, elastomeric coatings, and/or structural layers. The in-mold process gives flexible, durable, urethane-containing laminates having good interlayer adhesion.

A process for producing unsaturated polyester microparticles comprising: melt-mixing an unsaturated polyester and an oil in an extruder; washing the microparticles with an organic solvent to reduce the amount of oil; and removing the organic solvent to form the microparticles.

A process for the production of an article for the cladding of floors or walls, comprising the steps of, in a mold: a) optionally applying a gel coat layer, based on a first curing polymer resin, on the inside of the mold in order to obtain a coated mold, and b) introducing into the core of the mold or into the core of the coated mold from step a) a filling composition which is based on a second curing polymer resin supplemented with at least one mineral filler, wherein core contains at least 5% wt and at most 20% wt of curing polymer resin, relative to the dry amount of filling composition, and the filling composition contains only one single initiator in a concentration of 0.5% wt to 5.0% wt relative to the amount of curing polymer resin in the filling composition.

A bonding structure manufacturing method for manufacturing a bonding structure in which a first member and a second member are bonded is provided with: a step for forming a perforation with an opening in the surface of the first member and forming a protrusion that protrudes into the inner circumferential surface of the perforation; a step for disposing the region of the first member where the perforation is formed adjacent to the second member; and step for filling and curing the second member in the perforation of the first member by irradiating a laser on the region of the first member where the perforation is formed from the second member side.