The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

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 composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.

A composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.

A floor panel including at least one substrate and a top layer, where the substrate includes at least one first layer of a first thermoplastic material and a second layer of a second thermoplastic material. The second layer is adjacent to a first side of the first layer and the second layer provides the floor panel with its underside. The first layer is characterized by a first colour with saturation value S1 in the HSL colour space and the second layer is characterized by a second colour with saturation value S2 in the HSL colour space, where S1 is less than S2.

A floor panel including at least one substrate and a top layer, where the substrate includes at least one first layer of a first thermoplastic material and a second layer of a second thermoplastic material. The second layer is adjacent to a first side of the first layer and the second layer provides the floor panel with its underside. The first layer is characterized by a first colour with saturation value S1 in the HSL colour space and the second layer is characterized by a second colour with saturation value S2 in the HSL colour space, where S1 is less than S2.