Materials including support layers and fiber-free compositions are disclosed, as well as related articles and methods for making the materials. The fiber-free compositions are formed from a precursor composition that includes a nitrile butadiene rubber, a nanoclay and a cure package including a sulfur-based curing agent. The fiber-free compositions may have a substantially reduced weight and compressive modulus in comparison to conventional rubber. Thus, the fiber-free compositions may provide improved ballistic properties in addition to reduced density and thickness. Precursor compositions for forming the insulative composition may have good flow characteristics. The fiber-free compositions may be used in a variety of applications, such as personnel body armor, ground vehicle armor and aircraft armor systems.

Disclosed is a method for the manufacture of fibrous yarn including the steps, where an aqueous suspension including fibers and at least one rheology modifier is provided, followed by directing the suspension through at least one nozzle, to form at least one yarn, and then dewatering the yarn.

There is described an online inspection method and system having an illumination system that provides bright-field and dark-field illumination concurrently or sequentially, at varying intensities, in order to acquire images that may be read by an image processing device. The image processing device may obtain measurements of features in the images and evaluate acceptability of the features.

Methods of producing particles of fiber and resin from fiber-resin composite materials are disclosed. The particles may be combined with a resin system and optionally combined with fillers, binders or reinforcements to produce new cured solid composite products.

This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus of preparing a molded article, and more particularly to a method and apparatus of automated molding using male molds and thermoplastic sheets in which the thermoplastic sheets are systematically draped across the mold contour.

Provided is a screw that is for use in an injection molding machine and that makes it possible to benefit from the kneading effect of a multi-start screw while minimizing the received friction resistance. The screw for an injection molding machine is provided with a first stage 20 on the upstream side and a second stage 30 on the downstream side. The screw for an injection molding machine is characterized in that: the first stage 20 is provided with a compression section 22 comprising a main scraper 25 and an auxiliary scraper 26 having a smaller outer diameter than the main scraper 25; and the second stage 30 is provided with a multi-start screw section 31, said multi-start screw section being provided on the upstream side and comprising a plurality of scrapers, and a fin kneading section 32 provided downstream from the multi-start screw section.

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.

A method for manufacturing a rivet connection of a fiber composite component. The method includes positioning a first component which contains a fiber composite material in an overlap joint with a second component, laser-drilling a shared through-hole at least through the fiber composite material of the first component, inserting a rivet into the through-hole and fixing the rivet to the first and to the second component.

A stiffening element including at least a first stiffening profile and at least a second stiffening profile. The first stiffening profile includes a profile member. At least one structural flange is connected to the profile member. A through-passage extends through the profile member. At least one support flange is connected to the profile member. The second stiffening profile includes a bottom portion and at least one support side portion connected to the bottom portion. A method for manufacturing a stiffening element. A method for manufacturing a reinforced structure, where the reinforced structure includes at least one structural element and at least one stiffening element.

Resin infusing a composite preform includes placing a first vacuum bagging film over a tool surface and the composite preform to define a sealed first chamber. A bridge structure has an underside defining a cavity above the first vacuum bagging film. A second vacuum bagging film is placed over the first vacuum bagging film and the bridge structure to define a sealed second chamber. At least partial vacuum pressure is applied to the first chamber to drive resin from a resin supply through the first chamber, infusing the composite preform with resin. Partial vacuum pressure is applied inside the second chamber and an exterior pressure is applied outside the second vacuum bagging film while. The exterior pressure exceeds the pressure applied to the first and second chambers, thereby compacting the composite preform outside of a region, with the bridge supporting the second vacuum bagging film against the exterior pressure.