A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a core edge. A first layer of resin preimpregnated tape is wrapped continuously around the first core face, the core edge and the second core face. A thread is stitched along the first layer of preimpregnated tape. A second layer of resin preimpregnated tape wrapped continuously around the first layer of resin preimpregnated tape.

A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

Radiation shielding performs a range of functions determined by the type and number of layers of materials used, thickness, weight, and structural support afforded by the radiation shielding. A radiation shield laminate stack may be constructed consisting of a plurality of layers of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, polyethylene film, and carbon fiber, which is held together with an epoxy. The carbon fiber lay may be coated with nanoparticles of Boron (B) or Boron Nitride (BN), Boron Oxide (B.sub.2O.sub.3) or Boron Carbide (B.sub.4C) or a combination thereof to increase the shielding properties of the laminate stack. The radiation shield is lighter than aluminum, structurally sound, and thus may be used in the space environment to effectively block Galactic Cosmic Rays, atomic oxygen and UV radiation.

Seat assemblies including seat brackets and spreader brackets are described. A seat bracket can include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a frangible portion. The frangible portion can be formed from composite material and include a particular layer orientation. A spreader bracket can include a first component configured to couple with a second component to form a coupled structure. A structural fill material can be disposed within the coupled structure. The first component and the second component can be formed from composite material.

A vehicle structure includes: a framework member; an outer panel disposed at the outer side of the framework member, and that configures a design face of the vehicle; a foamed member disposed as a reinforcing material between the framework member and the outer panel, and that is formed from a material foamed at a first temperature from a precursor state and then solidifies at a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and a reinforcement member that is interposed between the outer panel and the foamed member in a state in which the outer panel and the foamed member are respectively joined together so as to fix the foamed member to the outer panel, and that is configured from a material having a smaller shrinkage ratio than a shrinkage ratio of the foamed member when the temperature is lowered from the first temperature to the second temperature.

The invention relates to a pyrolysis plant and a process for recovering (recycling) carbon fibers from carbon fiber-containing plastics, in particular from carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFPs or CFP materials), preferably from carbon fiber-containing and/or carbon fiber-reinforced composites (composite materials).

A three dimensional woven preform, a fiber reinforced composite incorporating the preform, and methods of making thereof are disclosed. The woven preform includes one or more layers of a warp steered fabric. A portion of the warp steered fabric is compressed into a mold to form an upstanding leg. The preform includes the upstanding leg and a joggle in a body portion. The body portion and upstanding leg are integrally woven so there is continuous fiber across the preform. A portion of the warp steered fabric includes stretch broken carbon fibers in the warp direction, and another portion includes conventional carbon fibers. The warp steered fabric can be woven on a loom equipped with a differential take-up mechanism. The warp steered fabric can be a single or multilayer fabric. The preform or the composite can be a portion of an aircraft window frame.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a connecting rod including: a) manufacturing an inner body; b) adding one end of the inner body to the end of the reduced outer diameter of each end piece, said end of the inner body resting on the shoulder of the end piece; c) inserting a first portion of a second mandrel in the hollow cylindrical portion of each end piece and placing a driving bit at the free end of a second portion of the second mandrel; d) winding said pre-impregnated fibres onto the outer surface of an assembly consisting of the inner body, the end piece(s) and the second part(s) of the second mandrel(s) which are free of bits, said fibres then forming an outer body; e) after removing the bit(s), polymerising the inner body and the outer body to form a polymerised integral body; f) removing the second mandrel(s) and cutting the polymerised integral body to the required length.

A method of fastening an edge structure to a construction element includes providing the construction element, being a planar structure with with two cover regions and a middle region between the cover regions; providing the edge structure being continuously extended, the edge structure having contact surfaces with a thermoplastic material shaped to lie against the cover regions in an outer surface of the construction element, and, opposite the contact surfaces, a coupling-in surface for coupling energy into the edge structure; coupling energy into the edge structure and pressing the contact surfaces against the cover regions until at least a portion of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and pressed into the cover regions; and repeating or continuing the steps of coupling and pressing until the edge structure is attached to the building element at a plurality of discrete locations or over an extended region along an edge of the construction element.

A three-dimensional object comprises stacked substrate layers infiltrated by a hardened material comprising engineered powder that is transformed into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material in a spatial pattern that infiltrates positive regions, and does not infiltrate negative regions, in the substrate layers. The powder may be emulsion aggregation powder, chemically-produced toner powder, or a combination. It may be a thermoplastic or thermosettable polymer and may include nylon, elastomers, polyolefins, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyaryletherketone, or a combination. The powder particles may have a pre-specified controlled shape and/or a non-homogenous composition. Surface treatments and/or additives may be used to control powder flow and charge distribution. Each substrate layer may be a sheet-like structure comprising fibers held together by binder. The binder may include sodium silicate.