An in-situ melt processing method for forming a fiber thermoplastic resin composite overwrapped workpiece, such as a composite overwrapped pressure vessel. Carbon fiber, or other types of fiber, are combined with a thermoplastic resin system. The selected fiber tow and the resin are prepared for impregnation of the tow by the resin. The resin is melted; and, carbon fiber is impregnated with the melted resin at the filament winding machine delivery head. The molten state of the composite is maintained and is applied, in the molten state, to the heated surface of a workpiece. The portion of the surface being wrapped is heated to the melting point of the thermoplastic resin so that the molten composite more efficiently adheres to the heated surface of the workpiece and so that the uppermost layer of fiber resin composite is molten when overwrapped resulting in better adherence of successive layers to one another.

A vehicle containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of greater than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.

A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially outer tire engaging portion having a first tire retaining portion and a second tire retaining portion spaced apart from the first tire retaining portion. The first tire retaining portion includes a first tire retaining section having a first outer wall and a first tire retaining wall opposite and spaced apart from the first outer wall. The second tire retaining portion includes a second tire retaining section having a second outer wall and a second tire retaining wall opposite and spaced apart from the second outer wall. The radially outer tire engaging portion is made of a composite material. The first outer wall and the first tire retaining wall, and the second outer wall and the second tire retaining wall, respectively, are separated by a material having a lower density than the composite material.

A complex-shaped, three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite structure may be formed by using counteracting pressures applied to a structural lay-up of wetted fibers with mechanical features embedded or encapsulated therein. The mechanical features may be located on or at least partially between two or more pressurizable members, which may be internally pressurized within a mold. The mechanical features may operate as bearing plates, attachment fittings, or other structural elements. Assemblies of pressurizable members, fiber plies and mechanical features may be arranged to create complex composite structures with predefined load paths, enhanced structural capability or both.

A method for forming a composite structure includes the steps of: forming a fiber-reinforced polymer paste to a shape of a cavity of a dry fiber preform structure; heating said dry fiber preform structure having said fiber-reinforced polymer in said cavity to an infusion temperature; infusing resin into said dry fiber preform structure and around said fiber-reinforced polymer; and curing said resin-infused fiber preform structure and said fiber-reinforced polymer at a cure temperature higher than said infusion temperature.

A method may comprise applying a first adhesive to a cavity of a bond panel, the cavity defined by a raised body portion of the bond panel, inserting an acoustic insert assembly in the cavity, the acoustic insert assembly being secured in the cavity by the first adhesive, and securing edges of the acoustic insert assembly to the raised body portion of the bond panel with a second adhesive to create a seamless interface between the edges and the raised body portion.

Disclosed is a cover for a utility vault and a method for making such covers. The cover is formed from fiberglass reinforcement layers, a low-density core, and a polymer mix matrix. The reinforcement layers include a bottom reinforcement layer, one or more edge reinforcement layers, and a top reinforcement layer. A first portion of the edge reinforcement layer overlaps a portion of the bottom reinforcement layer and a second portion of the edge reinforcement layer overlaps a portion of the top reinforcement layer. The core is positioned between the top and bottom reinforcement layers. The reinforcement layers are formed from fiberglass fabric and may include fiberglass layers whose fibers are oriented quadraxially. The polymer mix impregnates the fabric layers, encases the core, and binds the components together. The polymer matrix includes a thermoset polymer resin.

A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.

A structural component for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising: a planar member; a reinforcing member which projects from the planar member and is rigidly connected thereto; the reinforcing member comprising at least a foam layer and a cover layer, a plurality of pins extending at least through the foam layer and the cover layer, and at least the pins and the cover layer comprising a curable matrix.

A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a bottom core edge and a top core edge. Multiple pins are injected into the foam core, and one or more layers of resin preimpregnated tape are wrapped around the foam before forming a hockey blade structure in a heated mold.