A method for manufacturing optical and microwave reflectors includes: placing an assembly comprising a resin-infiltrated tendrillar mat structure on a mandrel; placing a pre-impregnated carbon fiber (CF) lamina on top of the tendrillar mat structure; placing the assembly in a vacuum device so as to squeeze out excess resin; and placing the assembly in a heating device so as to cure the tendrillar mat structure together with the CF lamina, forming the CF laminae into a laminate that combines with the tendrillar mat structure to create a cured assembly. A reflector suitable for one or more of optical and microwave applications includes: a mandrel; a resin-infiltrated tendrillar mat structure placed on the mandrel; and a pre-impregnated carbon fiber (CF) lamina placed on top of the tendrillar mat structure.

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a structural component for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle body component, which has a main body made of a metal material. The main body is provided at least partially with a reinforcing element made of a fiber-composite plastic. The method includes the steps of providing the main body, providing the reinforcing element, joining the main body and the reinforcing element together, and simultaneously heating the main body and the reinforcing element to a temperature and for a period of time which are chosen to be sufficiently high in order to harden both the metal material of the main body and also the fiber-composite plastic of the reinforcing element.

Fiber-reinforced composites is provided. The composites include a plurality of prepreg layers, each comprising a polymeric resin and a plurality of fibers disposed therein; and at least one electrically-conductive layer at least partially embedded in the plurality of prepreg layers. These fiber-reinforced composites can save weight relative to externally provided wires and can be provided in forms suitable for use in automated fiber placement and automated tape layup machines. Advantageous applications include uses in lightning strike protection, energy storage, signal transmission, and power distribution.

A hybrid piston pin and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The hybrid piston pin includes a cylindrical pin formed of steel, a first reinforcement layer that is formed of a composite that includes reinforced fibers and a resin, having a cylindrical shape with a uniform thickness, and coupled to the interior surface of the cylindrical pin. A second reinforcement layer is formed of a composite that includes reinforced fibers having an elasticity that is less than the reinforced fibers of the first reinforcement layer. Further, a resin having a cylindrical shape with a uniform thickness is coupled to the interior surface of the first reinforcement layer.

The present invention relates to a molding material, having: (A): a fiber substrate made of carbon fibers 5 mm or longer; (B): at least either an epoxy (meth)acrylate resin or an unsaturated polyester resin; (C): (C-1) inorganic fibrous filler with a cross-sectional area of at least 0.8 μm.sup.2, or (C-2) inorganic flaky filler with a cross-sectional area of at least 0.05 μm.sup.2, both of which have an aspect ratio of 2.0 or higher and a length of less than 3 mm; and (D): a polyisocyanate compound.

An end-cap arrangement for a polymer pressure vessel comprises an end-cap, a filler element for being provided in the vicinity of the end part of the polymer pressure vessel, and a polymer outer ring. The end-cap comprises a polymer end-cap part and a polymer inner ring part being integrally connected to the polymer end cap part. The end-cap is provided for inserting into an end part of the polymer pressure vessel such that the polymer end-cap part seals the end part of the polymer pressure vessel. The polymer inner ring part and the polymer outer ring are arranged for providing radial compression of the filler element.

A method includes disposing fibrous material with a first mandrel, a second mandrel and a first mold section, the first mandrel including a first base, the second mandrel including a second base, and the first mold section including a support surface; arranging the first base on the support surface; arranging the second base on the support surface adjacent a first side of the first base, the arranging including moving the second base along a first trajectory that is substantially coincident with a corner between the first side of the first base and the support surface; arranging a second mold section with the first mold section to provide a mold, where the first mandrel and the second mandrel are between the first and the second mold sections; injecting resin into the mold to engage the fibrous material; and curing the resin to form a composite component.

The invention relates to a device and a method for semi-continuous blow moulding of fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic, endless, hollow-profile-shaped components with longitudinally constant or varying cross-sections, consisting of at least one consolidation tool, which, in its closed state, encloses a preform enclosing an elastically moldable pressure chamber.

Systems and methods are provided for compacting laminates. One embodiment is a method for compacting a laminate onto a surface of a forming tool. The method includes placing the laminate onto the forming tool, disposing a compaction device over the laminate, gripping the compaction device to the forming tool, compacting the laminate with a pressure foot of the compaction device, and removing the compaction device from the forming tool.

A method for making a conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet includes the steps of joining a nanomaterial composite sheet, a fiber-reinforcing sheet and a resin system to form a combined sheet, heating the combined sheet, compacting the combined sheet, and cooling the combined sheet to form conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet including the fiber-reinforcing sheet, and the nanomaterial composite sheet coupled to the fiber-reinforcing sheet, wherein the fiber-reinforcing sheet and the nanomaterial composite sheet are embedded in the resin system.