The present invention relates to multi-layered composite structures and to methods for the preparation thereof. The present multi-layered composite structures are light weight and capable of high load bearing making the present multi-layered composite structures especially suitable to be used as load bearing structures in, for example, automotive. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods comprising the steps of a) providing a mould for said multi-layered composite structure; b) layering said mould with two or more layers forming the outer surface of said multi-layered composite; c) filling said layered mould with a mixture comprised of non-expanded heat-expandable microspheres and closing said mould; and d) subjecting said closed mould to a temperature of 80° C. to 140° C. during 1 to 230 minutes thereby providing a relative pressure in said closed mould of 0.1 to 20 bar through expansion of said heat-expandable microspheres thereby forming a multi-layered composite structure in said mould with a foam enforced inner core and a multi-layered outer surface; and e) separating the multi-layered composite structure from said mould.

Enclosure parts for portable information handling systems may be made by heat pressing material layers together. The material layers may include outer fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layers and a core thermoplastic layer comprising a plurality of thermoplastic film layers. The core thermoplastic layer may be die cut to create voids that reduce weight of the enclosure part. A finishing layer may be added, along with attachment features.

A fiber-reinforced fabric, composite materials formed from such fabrics, and methods of making the fiber-reinforced fabric or composite materials, are provided. The fabrics and composite materials demonstrate improved fatigue performance relative to conventional fiber-reinforced fabrics.

Co-curable epoxy-based composite materials coated with co-curable polyurethane-based coating materials to form co-curable and co-cured polyurethane coated epoxy-based composite materials, with the polyurethane-based coating materials comprising UV-stabilizer agents and cure control agents are disclosed, along with components and large structures comprising the co-cured materials.

A flow body for a vehicle having a flow surface, as well as a skin system attached to the flow surface is proposed. The skin system has a top layer and a foam arrangement positioned between the flow surface and the top layer, wherein the top layer includes an elastic, surface-like material, wherein the foam arrangement includes a first layer of an elastic, compressible open cell foam, wherein the foam arrangement is bonded to the top layer. The skin system has a static shape in an unloaded state, in which the shape defines an outer surface geometry that directly follows the geometry of the respective flow surface, and the skin system has a deflected shape when the flow body is subjected to turbulent air flow. The deflected shape at least temporarily compresses the foam arrangement.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to a composite shingle. The composite shingle includes a particle layer and a polyketone layer proximate to the particle layer.

Composite liners (such as acoustic panels, fan track liners, and/or ice impact panels or boxes for turbofan engines) and techniques for forming composite liners. In some examples, the composite liner includes at least one region comprising a reinforcement architecture comprising a matrix material, a plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a plurality of second reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively tough polymer-based reinforcement elements and the plurality of second reinforcement elements are embedded in the matrix material.

A composite laminate structure includes one or more layers of prepreg and a thermoplastic polyurethane film layer on the surface of the one or more prepregs. A method of making a composite laminate structure including a thermoplastic polyurethane film is also provided.

The present invention relates to a multilayer composite comprising a first monolayer comprising high-performance fibers, aligned in a first direction and a first matrix material and a second monolayer comprising high-performance fibers, aligned in a second direction and a second matrix material and a third polymeric film located in between the first and the second monolayer, with the third polymeric film having a tensile modulus of at least 0.75 GPa measured by ASTM D882. Preferably the high-performance fibers comprise UHMWPE fibers. A thermoplastic polyurethane is in contact with the first monolayer to form a first outer layer of the composite and in contact with the second monolayer to form a second outer layer of the composite, opposite to the first outer layer. The present invention further relates to the use of the multilayer composite in backpacks, packs, bags, medical gear, outdoor products, sail cloths, tents, tarps, shelters, clothing, ponchos, foul weather gear, mats, outerwear, jackets, sleeping bags, lift bags, parachutes, large kites, inflatable structures, beams, balloons, backraft, inflatable gear, liferaft, inflatable sculptures, airship (HAA: High Altitude Airships), space applications, flexible circuits, footwear and umbrella's.

The invention relates to a cover structure the SMC main body of which is simultaneously pressed and bonded with two additional layers in a bonding press.