A fastening inclusion is provided and includes a hard point made of coalesced metal sheets, metal or fiber flanges extending from edges of the hard point, and a fastener arranged on the hard point. The fastening inclusion can be incorporated into a fiber reinforced polymer structure by interleaving the flanges with fiber reinforced resin plies, and then curing the fiber reinforced plies to form a composite structure. The fastener on the hard point may be used for mechanically connecting the composite structure to a separate component, such as a metal component on a vehicle.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to composite laminate structures including a polymer layer having sp.sup.2 carbon-containing material and improved heat release properties, and methods of making the same.

A seat support element has a body that includes at least one portion having a plurality of discrete structural elements and a plurality of connecting fibers, the discrete structural elements being joined together via the connecting fibers to form the portion of the body.

A composite material for use as a deposition material in an additive manufacturing system comprises a polymer component, a filler component, and an extrudability component. The extrudability component is present in the composite material is an amount of from 0.05 wt % to 10 wt % based on the weight of the composite material, and can comprise polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The polymer component comprises a high temperature polymer such as an engineering polymer or a high performance polymer. The filler component comprises at least one of a conductive component and a strengthening component. In some cases, the conductive component is present in an amount such that the composite material is formed as one of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) material and an EMI/EMC shielding material. The composite material can be deposited in a liquid state on a substrate using an additive manufacturing system, to produce a three-dimensional object.

Apparatus for storing, tapering, cutting and dispensing preform layers of material includes a device for storing coiled lengths of the preform layers of material and a mechanism for receiving coiled lengths of the preform layers of material. The mechanism includes a grinding mechanism to grind portions of the preform layers of material and a cutter to cut the grinded portions of material. A programmable controller is configured to control the operations of at least one of the device and mechanism.

An apparatus for securing first and second skins to a core in a composite rotor blade includes an elongated member configured to be installed through a passage in the core of the composite rotor blade. The elongated member has a first end configured to be attached to an outer surface of the first skin and a second end configured to be attached to an outer surface of the second skin. The apparatus also includes a first patch configured to adhere the first end to the outer surface of the first skin, and a second patch configured to adhere the second end to the outer surface of the second skin such the elongated member extends from the outer surfaces of the first and second skins through the passage in the core.

A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprises the steps of forming a fiber preform with an opening, forming a fiber fastener, inserting the fiber fastener into the opening, and infiltrating a matrix material into the fiber preform and fiber fastener to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

A method of forming an integral fastener for a ceramic matrix composite component comprises the steps of forming a fiber preform with an opening, forming a fiber fastener, inserting the fiber fastener into the opening, and infiltrating a matrix material into the fiber preform and fiber fastener to form a ceramic matrix composite component with an integral fastener. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

A composite panel for use in applications such as mobile homes, boats, buses, RVs, or other panels used typically in transportation applications, where a single piece, water resistant, lightweight panel with patterned high-strength areas is needed. The composite panel generally includes internal preforms made of low-density material such as urethane foam, which create patterned structural portions of the panel during the molding process. The patterned structural portions are formed by a maze-like region within a mold, into which composite matrix material is infused. The patterned structural portions have high strength compared to the other regions of the panel, and can be used for structural support or for retaining fasteners for appliances, walls, etc.

Compaction systems and methods of compacting components are provided. In one aspect, a laminate of a component can be laid up on a tool of a compaction system. The laminate defines a cavity. A noodle is positioned relative to or in the cavity. A noodle ring is then positioned relative to the noodle. For instance, the noodle ring can be placed over the noodle. A cross section of the noodle ring can be shaped complementary to a cross section of the noodle. A plunger of the compaction system is moved so that it engages the noodle ring. Particularly, the plunger is moved in such a way that a force is applied on the noodle ring so that the noodle ring compacts the noodle into the cavity.