A method of manufacturing a transport refrigeration unit is provided. The method includes providing an enclosure including an outer layer and a supporter. Providing the enclosure includes supplying one of a first material and a second material to a mold. This also includes supplying the other of the first material and the second material on the one of the first material and the second material that is supplied to the mold. Also, this includes curing the first material and the second material integrally that are supplied to the mold. The first material forms into the outer layer and the second material forms into the supporter. The second material includes a plurality of reinforcing fibers.

A carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin (A), a carbon fiber (B), and a titanium compound (C), an amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) being 10 to 65% by weight, an amount of the carbon fiber (B) being 35 to 90% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) and the carbon fiber (B), and an amount of the titanium compound (C) being 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) and the carbon fiber (B).

A carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin (A), a carbon fiber (B), and a titanium compound (C), an amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) being 10 to 65% by weight, an amount of the carbon fiber (B) being 35 to 90% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) and the carbon fiber (B), and an amount of the titanium compound (C) being 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the thermoplastic resin (A) and the carbon fiber (B).

A reinforcing fiber composite material characterized by comprising discontinuous reinforcing fibers containing discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregates and a matrix resin, wherein a fan-shaped discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (A) is contained at an amount of 5% by weight or more in the discontinuous reinforcing fibers, and wherein the fan-shaped discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (A) has a fan-like section in which an aspect ratio at least at one end part of a discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (the width of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate/the thickness of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate) is 1.5 times or more relative to an aspect ratio at a narrowest part at which the width of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate is smallest when the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate is projected two-dimensionally.

A reinforcing fiber composite material characterized by comprising discontinuous reinforcing fibers containing discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregates and a matrix resin, wherein a fan-shaped discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (A) is contained at an amount of 5% by weight or more in the discontinuous reinforcing fibers, and wherein the fan-shaped discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (A) has a fan-like section in which an aspect ratio at least at one end part of a discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate (the width of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate/the thickness of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate) is 1.5 times or more relative to an aspect ratio at a narrowest part at which the width of the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate is smallest when the discontinuous reinforcing fiber aggregate is projected two-dimensionally.

A method for manufacturing a composite material, a sensor element or an active component of a sensor element. The sensor element is applied in a field device of automation technology. At least two materials with different physical and chemical properties are predetermined depending on a functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element. An outer shape, into which the at least two materials should be formed, is predetermined. The outer shape is divided into a plurality of virtual spatial regions, wherein in each virtual spatial region the material distribution of the at least two materials occurs homogeneously and periodically according to predetermined rules corresponding to a microstructure. The predetermined rules are ascertained via a computer supported method depending on the predetermined functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element, wherein digital data, which describe the ascertained distribution of the at least two materials, are transferred to at least one 3D printer. As a printed product the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element is created by the 3D printer based on the digital data.

A method for manufacturing a composite material, a sensor element or an active component of a sensor element. The sensor element is applied in a field device of automation technology. At least two materials with different physical and chemical properties are predetermined depending on a functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element. An outer shape, into which the at least two materials should be formed, is predetermined. The outer shape is divided into a plurality of virtual spatial regions, wherein in each virtual spatial region the material distribution of the at least two materials occurs homogeneously and periodically according to predetermined rules corresponding to a microstructure. The predetermined rules are ascertained via a computer supported method depending on the predetermined functionality of the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element, wherein digital data, which describe the ascertained distribution of the at least two materials, are transferred to at least one 3D printer. As a printed product the sensor element or the active component of the sensor element is created by the 3D printer based on the digital data.

A rope for reinforcing joints in fibre-reinforced composite structures is described. The rope comprises chopped reinforcement fibres and retaining means for retaining the chopped fibres in a rope-shape. Further, composite structures utilising such ropes as filler elements are described as well as an apparatus for manufacturing such ropes.

A rope for reinforcing joints in fibre-reinforced composite structures is described. The rope comprises chopped reinforcement fibres and retaining means for retaining the chopped fibres in a rope-shape. Further, composite structures utilising such ropes as filler elements are described as well as an apparatus for manufacturing such ropes.

A hybrid reinforcement material (18) is disclosed that includes a plurality of reinforcement fibers (12) and a plurality of carbon fibers (14) comingled with the reinforcement fibers (12). The reinforcement fibers (12) are selected from natural fibers, organic fibers, and inorganic fibers and form a single hybrid assembled roving with the carbon fibers (14). The carbon fibers (14) are post-coated with a compatibilizer. The hybrid assembled roving (18) may be formed using a hybrid of glass and carbon fibers.