In one version there is provided a test system including a layup tool having a layup surface, and two fairing bars attached to the layup surface. The test system includes the composite laminate having a plurality of stacked plies, and positioned between the two fairing bars. The test system includes fiber distortion initiator(s) positioned at one or more locations under, and adjacent to, one or more plies of the plurality of stacked plies. The test system includes two caul plates with a gap in between, and positioned over the composite laminate. When the test system undergoes a pressurized cure process with a vacuum compaction, a restricted outward expansion of the plurality of stacked plies by the fairing bars, and a pressure differential region formed by the one or more fiber distortion initiators at the one or more locations, create the controlled and repeatable out-of-plane fiber distortion in the composite laminate.

A method of manufacturing a carbon fiber wheel rim is provided, including flowing steps of: preparing a core ring, including a core material which is disintegrable and annular; continuously obliquely winding at least one first dry carbon yarn around the core ring, to form a first semifinished rim; placing the first semifinished rim in a mold, and performing vacuuming, resin injection and thermoforming, to form a second semifinished rim; removing the second semifinished rim out of the mold, and disintegrating and removing the core material.

A fiber composite component having a first and a second fiber composite element each bent along a transverse axis opf the fiber composite component to have, respectively, in succession, a first and second base flange, a first and second web section, a first and second top flange and a first and second stiffening web. Respectively, the first and second base flanges are parallel to the first and second top flanges, the first and second web sections are angled with respect to each of the first and second base flanges and the first and second top flanges, the first and second stiffening webs are at right angles with respect to the first and second top flanges, and the first stiffening web and the second stiffening web are congruent with respect to one another, and are connected to one another, along a longitudinal axis of the fiber composite component.

A glass facer for a constructions board includes a first non-woven layer of coarse fibers and a second non-woven layer of coarse fibers and microfibers. The glass facer also includes a binder that simultaneously binds or adheres the coarse fibers of the first non-woven layer together, the coarse fibers and the microfibers of the second non-woven layer together, and the first non-woven layer to the second non-woven layer. The first non-woven layer has a porosity and air permeability that enables the first non-woven layer to absorb a material of the construction board when the glass facer is positioned atop the construction board during manufacture of the construction board. The second non-woven layer is configured to block the material of the construction board from passing through the glass facer to an exterior surface of the second non-woven layer so that the material is not externally visible.

A glass facer for a constructions board includes a first non-woven layer of coarse fibers and a second non-woven layer of coarse fibers and microfibers. The glass facer also includes a binder that simultaneously binds or adheres the coarse fibers of the first non-woven layer together, the coarse fibers and the microfibers of the second non-woven layer together, and the first non-woven layer to the second non-woven layer. The first non-woven layer has a porosity and air permeability that enables the first non-woven layer to absorb a material of the construction board when the glass facer is positioned atop the construction board during manufacture of the construction board. The second non-woven layer is configured to block the material of the construction board from passing through the glass facer to an exterior surface of the second non-woven layer so that the material is not externally visible.

A protective cover includes a padding layer and at least one backing layer comprising a network of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) threads, wherein a surface of the at least one backing layer is substantially rectangular comprising a first side, and wherein a plurality of the FRP threads are arranged along a direction that is oblique relative to the first side.

A protective cover includes a padding layer and at least one backing layer comprising a network of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) threads, wherein a surface of the at least one backing layer is substantially rectangular comprising a first side, and wherein a plurality of the FRP threads are arranged along a direction that is oblique relative to the first side.

There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a fan blade for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: providing a root insert comprising quasi-isotropic short fibre reinforced resin, providing a first sub-laminate of a fibre-reinforcement pre-form for the fan blade on a first mould surface, placing the root insert on the first sub-laminate at a position corresponding to a root of the fan blade, providing a second sub-laminate of the pre-form over the root insert and the first-sub-laminate, so that the root insert is at an intermediate position between the first and second sub-laminates; and applying heat and pressure to form the pre-form.

A roll (16) of structural material for use in the manufacture of large composite structures such as wind turbine blades is described. The roll (16) comprises an elongate stack of structural layers (10) fastened together and wrapped around a reel (14). The reel (14) comprises a plurality of mutually spaced supports (50) about which the stack is folded into a rolled stack. Sections of the rolled stack between the supports are substantially unsupported by the reel and are held in a slack state in order to prevent wrinkles from forming in the rolled stack.

A roll (16) of structural material for use in the manufacture of large composite structures such as wind turbine blades is described. The roll (16) comprises an elongate stack of structural layers (10) fastened together and wrapped around a reel (14). The reel (14) comprises a plurality of mutually spaced supports (50) about which the stack is folded into a rolled stack. Sections of the rolled stack between the supports are substantially unsupported by the reel and are held in a slack state in order to prevent wrinkles from forming in the rolled stack.