A fibre-reinforced polymer component is provided which comprises a main portion comprising fibre-reinforced polymer and at least one surface and at least one raised feature extending from said surface. The at least one raised feature consists of non-reinforced polymer and is shaped to incur visually perceptible damage when the component is subject to an impact with an energy above a predetermined impact energy threshold and to resist an impact with an energy below the predetermined impact energy threshold. The at least one raised feature thus provides a clear visual aid as to when a component has experienced an impact with an energy above the impact energy threshold. Because the raised feature consists of polymer without fibre reinforcement, it is more fragile than the fibre-reinforced polymer main portion 204 and thus reduces the energy at which impacts may be detected.

Provided is a composite laminate having excellent releasability from a mold during a production process, excellent surface appearance (surface smoothness) and mechano-physical properties, and excellent workability and coating adhesion. A composite laminate 1 includes an A layer 2 and a B layer 3, wherein the A layer 2 is provided directly or indirectly on one or both sides of the B layer 3, the A layer 2 contains reinforcing fibers (a1) with an average fiber length of 1 μm to 300 μm, spherical particles (a11) with a volume mean particle diameter of 0.01 μm to 100 μm, and a thermoplastic resin (a2), and the B layer 3 contains reinforcing fibers (b1) with an average fiber length of 1 mm or more and a thermoplastic resin (b2).

Provided is a composite laminate having excellent releasability from a mold during a production process and excellent surface appearance (surface smoothness) and mechano-physical properties. A composite laminate 1 includes an A layer 2 and a B layer 3, wherein the A layer 2 is provided directly or indirectly on one or both sides of the B layer 3, the A layer 2 contains spherical particles (a1) with a volume mean particle diameter of 0.01 μm to 100 μm and a thermoplastic resin (a2), and the B layer 3 contains reinforcing fibers (b1) with an average fiber length of 1 mm or more and a thermoplastic resin (b2).

[Problem]

Provided is a method for producing an opened fibre bundle which has a good opened state, excellent resin impregnation properties, and excellent compatibility with a matrix resin, with high productivity.

[Problem to be Solved]

Disclosed is an opened carbon fibre bundle, wherein particles having a volume average particle size D50 of 1 μm to 13 μm and a volume average particle size D90 of 13 μm or less are comprised in a carbon fibre bundle and a method for producing an opened carbon fibre bundle, comprising the step of bringing a carbon fibre bundle into contact with a fibre opening solution comprising the particles and an organic solvent.

The present invention is a structure element comprising a body made of composite material and at least one connection member which is one-piece with said body and which is for providing connection to another structure element with the same characteristic. Accordingly, the composite material is BMC material using bulk material, and the bulk material comprises at least one type of fiber between 15% and 25% for providing resistance, at least one type of mineral powder between 40% and 50% as filling material, and at least one type of resin between 20% and 30% as the binding item which binds fiber to filling material.

[Problem]

Provided is a method for producing an opened fibre bundle which enables the production of an opened fibre bundle having a good opened state, excellent resin impregnation properties, and excellent compatibility with a matrix resin.

[Problem to be Solved]

Disclosed is a method for producing an opened carbon fibre bundle, comprising the step of bringing a carbon fibre bundle comprising a plurality of carbon fibres to which a sizing agent is attached into contact with a fibre opening solution comprising particles having an average particle size (d50) of 1 μm to 30 μm and an organic solvent.

Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic imaging of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes providing an object having multiple layers of fibers and resin, inducing ultrasonic waves at locations along the object, and attenuating the ultrasonic waves at the regions due to regions interspersed among the layers that each exhibit an elastic modulus distinct from an elastic modulus of the fibers and distinct from an elastic modulus of the matrix. The method further includes receiving the attenuated ultrasonic waves, and analyzing the attenuated ultrasonic waves to determine depths of the regions.

A support element for a seat includes a body and a covering covering at least a portion of the body, the covering being made of a covering material. The body includes at least one portion having a plurality of discrete structural elements and a plurality of bonding fibers, the bonding fibers having a central core and a sheath covering the core, the sheath being made of a material that melts when subjected to a melting temperature, the body being overmolded onto at least a portion of the covering.

Compositions including a polyimide and one or more thermally conductive fillers, and compaction rollers for an automated fiber placement machine incorporating the compositions are provided. The polyimide may be a polymeric reaction product of a dianhydride and one or more diamines. The one or more diamines may include a fluorine-containing alkyl ether diamine. The one or more thermally conductive fillers may include one or more of a carbon-based filler, boron nitride, a metal, or combinations thereof. The compositions may have a thermal conductivity of from about 0.2 to about 50 Watts per meter Kelvin (Wm.sup.−1 K.sup.−1).

A support element for a seat includes a body and a covering covering at least a portion of the body, the covering being made of a covering material. The body includes at least one portion having a plurality of discrete structural elements and a plurality of bonding fibers, the bonding fibers having a central core and a sheath covering the core, the sheath being made of a material that melts when subjected to a melting temperature, the body being overmolded onto at least a portion of the covering.