Wrinkling of a contoured composite laminate part during forming to contour is reduced by using laminate plies having off-angle reinforcing fibers that provide the part with primary axial strength along a major axis of loading.

The invention is the first modification of the Patent Application with number 1009231 and involves an additional system of three levels which reinforces and improves the dynamic armor of main battle tanks using compressed ferromagnetic powder and electromagnetically reinforced. The main characteristics of the first invention (DE-1009231) for the armor system of tanks and battle vehicles was the use of compressed powder from magnetized or non-magnetized ferromagnetic pulverized materials (Fe, Ni, Co) or other similar synthetic materials that enrich or enhance the desired mechanical properties and the effect of electromagnetic amplification between two solid passive armor plates. The first level (FIG. 1, 2) concerns the placement of high temperature silicone or other material of the same mechanical properties at a suitable thickness proportional to the threat, between the outer passive solid shielding plate and the compressed ferromagnetic powder. The second level (FIG. 1, 3) concerns the modification of the layer containing the ferromagnetic powder by the distribution of the ferromagnetic powder contained in pellets or cubes or rectangular parallelepipeds or other basic geometric volumes from polymeric material with viscous elasticity or other kinds of material with same mechanical properties of thin walls or alternatively its placement in a spatial network with cubic or conical or spherical partition volumes with thin walls made of polymeric material with viscoelasticity or other material with the same mechanical properties and then compress them between the plates of solid passive armor. The third level of reinforcement (FIGS. 1, 4) was achieved by placing a layer of explosive material on the visible side facing to the ferromagnetic powder of the inner passive solid shielding plate in combination with percussion, perforation and temperature sensors. The layer of the explosive may be in a single layer or be contained as based on the inside surface of each individual area of the spatial network or similarly to separate cubes or rectangular parallelepipeds.

A non-wicking underlayment board and methods for forming the same. The non-wicking underlayment board includes a foam core formed of closed cell foam with reinforcement layers encapsulated within the foam core. Outer facings formed of mineral coated nonwoven fibers are positioned on opposite faces of the non-wicking underlayment panel. The non-wicking underlayment board is useful for efficient and cost effective installation of barriers and surfaces in water-resistant and waterproof environments.

This relates to a composite structural element, in particular a rib or a spar, specifically for use in a torsion box of an aircraft structure such as a vertical tailplane, wherein the structural element defines a coordinate system with a first axis “a” wherein the structural element comprises a substantially planar main section defining a coordinate system with a first axis “a” extending along the longitudinal axis “L” of the structural element and a second axis “b” extending perpendicular to said longitudinal axis “L” within the planar main section and defining an angle of +90° with the first axis “a”, wherein the structural element contains a lay-up of single plies consisting of a fiber-reinforced composite material with a substantially unidirectional fiber orientation.

A prepreg containing a carbon fiber [A] and a thermosetting resin [B], and in addition, satisfying at least one of the following (1) and (2). (1) a thermoplastic resin particle or fiber [C] and a conductive particle or fiber [D] are contained, and weight ratio expressed by [compounding amount of [C] (parts by weight)]/[compounding amount of [D] (parts by weight)] is 1 to 1000. (2) a conductive particle or fiber of which thermoplastic resin nucleus or core is coated with a conductive substance [E] is contained.

A composite laminate comprises first and second fiber beds, and an interlayer between the fiber beds. The interlayer includes toughened regions that extend between the fiber beds and are fused to the fiber beds.

Methods and apparatus to remove gas and vapor from a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first press plate of a hot press to engage a first surface of a panel. The hot press is to apply heat to the panel via the first press plate to cure resin of the panel. A first portion of the first press plate is composed of a permeable material to remove at least one of gas or vapor from the panel to deter the at least one of gas or vapor from exerting a pressure on a decorative layer to be coupled to the panel to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the panel.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.

The invention relates to a pipe for conveying a fluid, in particular a coolant, for a vehicle, the pipe having a multi-layer structure and comprising: an inner layer defining an inner passage for fluid circulation, the inner layer being formed of a first material comprising an elastomer selected from the ethylene-propylene copolymers, an outer layer formed of a second material comprising: an elastomer selected from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in a proportion of at least 50 phr, and a flame retardant according to a proportion of at least 50 phr, and an intermediate bonding layer arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer and comprising a mixture of an ethylene-propylene copolymer with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a polyacrylate or an ethylene acrylate copolymer.

A laminated surface covering including a facing material made of vinyl and a backing material comprising a rubber component. The rubber component comprising at least a matrix of bonded rubber granules. A bonding material disposed between the facing material and the backing material. The facing material configured to melt at a temperature between 165° F. and 248° F. infiltrating the backing material thereby essentially encasing the rubber granules of the matrix and providing fire retardation and smoke suppression qualities.