Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

A structural panel includes a first skin, a second skin and a core. The core is connected to the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a corrugated sheet of wire mesh that includes a plurality of corrugations. Each of the corrugations extends vertically between and engages the first skin and the second skin.

A structural panel includes a first skin, a second skin and a core. The core is connected to the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a corrugated sheet of wire mesh that includes a plurality of corrugations. Each of the corrugations extends vertically between and engages the first skin and the second skin.

A laminate assembly includes a matrix layer and elongated, continuous strips of a conductive alloy. The matrix layer has opposite first and second sides connected by opposite first and second edges. Each of the first and second edges extends from the first side of the matrix layer to the opposite second side of the matrix layer. The elongated, continuous strips of the conductive alloy are disposed in the matrix layer between the first and second sides of the matrix layer. The elongated continuous strips continuously extend through the matrix layer from the first edge to the opposite second edge.

A resin composition includes: a vinyl-containing polyphenylene ether resin; a compound of Formula (1); and a compound of Formula (2), a compound of Formula (3), a compound of Formula (4) or a combination thereof. The resin composition may be used to make various articles, such as a prepreg, a resin film, a laminate or a printed circuit board, and at least one of the following improvements can be achieved, including prepreg viscosity variation ratio, prepreg stickiness resistance, amount of void after lamination, multi-layer board thermal resistance, glass transition temperature, ratio of thermal expansion, copper foil peeling strength, dissipation factor and laminate appearance.

A resin composition includes: a vinyl-containing polyphenylene ether resin; a compound of Formula (1); and a compound of Formula (2), a compound of Formula (3), a compound of Formula (4) or a combination thereof. The resin composition may be used to make various articles, such as a prepreg, a resin film, a laminate or a printed circuit board, and at least one of the following improvements can be achieved, including prepreg viscosity variation ratio, prepreg stickiness resistance, amount of void after lamination, multi-layer board thermal resistance, glass transition temperature, ratio of thermal expansion, copper foil peeling strength, dissipation factor and laminate appearance.

A thermoplastic surfacer for providing lightning strike protection to a composite component of an aircraft, methods of manufacturing the surfacer, and methods of applying the surfacer to a composite part. The thermoplastic surfacer includes a broadgood having a thermoplastic resin, one or more fillers embedded into the broadgood, and a lightning strike protection mesh or foil embedded into the broadgood. When applying the surfacer to a composite part of an aircraft, the method includes draping the surfacer on an at least partially unconsolidated composite part, consolidating the at least partially unconsolidated composite part by heating the part to a temperature at or above a melt temperature of a resins used in the part and in the surfacer, and filling at least one surface defect in the consolidated part using the thermoplastic polymer resin and milled fibers provided in the thermoplastic surfacer.

A thermoplastic surfacer for providing lightning strike protection to a composite component of an aircraft, methods of manufacturing the surfacer, and methods of applying the surfacer to a composite part. The thermoplastic surfacer includes a broadgood having a thermoplastic resin, one or more fillers embedded into the broadgood, and a lightning strike protection mesh or foil embedded into the broadgood. When applying the surfacer to a composite part of an aircraft, the method includes draping the surfacer on an at least partially unconsolidated composite part, consolidating the at least partially unconsolidated composite part by heating the part to a temperature at or above a melt temperature of a resins used in the part and in the surfacer, and filling at least one surface defect in the consolidated part using the thermoplastic polymer resin and milled fibers provided in the thermoplastic surfacer.

An article comprising: (a) one or more nonwoven material layers comprising a lofted fibrous material; and (b) one or more molded material layers having a fibrous matrix, wherein the article is configured to at least partially thermally insulate an item or compartment and the article absorbs external heat or cold to substantially prevent amplitude of temperature fluctuation of the item or within the compartment.