An aerospace component may comprise a fiber reinforced composite material. The fiber reinforced composite material includes a plurality of fiber layers and a carbon matrix surrounding the plurality of fiber layers. A plurality of ceramic particles is dispersed in the carbon matrix. A first fiber layer of the plurality of fiber layers may include a carbon fiber, and a second fiber layer of the plurality of fiber layers may include a non-carbon fiber. A hardness of the non-carbon fiber is greater than a hardness of carbon fiber.

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 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.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for two or more cured composite assemblies that are bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein each of the cured composite assemblies do not have a tubular shape. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component, for example. The two or more cured composite assemblies may comprise carbon or fiberglass composite materials or a combination of materials. Each of the cured composite assemblies may further comprise axial edges that are configured to be bonded to another of the cured composite assemblies, wherein the axial edges have a sloped shape. An adhesive agent may be applied on the axial edges for bonding two cured composite assemblies. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the axial edges of at least two cured composite assemblies.

A method of fabricating a panel includes laying up a first laminate on a tooling surface, laying a first layer of thermoplastic on an inner surface of the first laminate, laying a large cell carbon core on the first layer of thermoplastic, laying a second layer of thermoplastic across the large cell carbon core, laying a second laminate on the second layer of thermoplastic, creating a sealed core pocket by bonding the edges of the first and second layers of the thermoplastic surrounding a perimeter of the core, increasing pressure within the core pocket, increasing pressure on the outer surface of the second laminate, heating the panel to a desired curing temperature, and maintaining the increased pressures and temperature for a desired curing duration.

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 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.

Disclosed are laminates comprising a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheet and a layer of polysilazane and methods for producing such laminates.

A fiber-reinforced resin composite sheet of the present invention contains: a polyamide resin film containing a dicarboxylic acid component (a) and a diamine component (b); and a plurality of reinforcing fibers laminated in a state of being oriented in the same direction on the polyamide resin film, the reinforcing fibers being obtained by opening a reinforcing fiber bundle. The dicarboxylic acid component (a) contains 60 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less of terephthalic acid. The diamine component (b) contains 60 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less of 1,9-nonanediamine and 2-methyl-1,8 octanediamine. The fiber-reinforced resin composite sheet has a volume content rate Vf of the reinforcing fibers of 20% or more and 70% or less and a thickness of 20 μm or more and 70 μm or less.