A metal or ceramic component includes at least one multi-dimensionally structured connection portion, wherein the connection portion is intended for forming an adhesive bond to fiber-reinforced polymer laminate, and wherein the metal or ceramic component has a milliscale structure, in particular formed by anchoring elements, and a microscale structure on the connection portion and the anchoring elements, over which microscale structure an additional nanoscale structure is formed.

A method of directly joining a polymer to a metal along a joint interface through the formation of CO-M chemical bonds, where M represents an element in the metal to be joined. The method includes heating the metal to a predetermined temperature above a glass transition temperature of the polymer and less than a flash ignition temperature of the polymer and less than a metal melting temperature of the metal; and applying force to the joint interface of the metal and the polymer to generate intimate atomic contact between the metal and the polymer to create CO-M chemical bonds between the metal and the polymer.

A component includes at least first and second plastics component parts which are interconnected in a connection zone. A reinforcing element includes at least one wire which bridges the connection zone. The first and second plastics component parts are welded together and/or are fused together in the connection zone. The plastics component parts may be bonded to one another.

A profile body of a not liquefiable material is used as a connecting element between a first object and a second object. The profile body may especially be metallic and/or may be bendable. The profile body, in contrast to a conventional wire, however, has a shape defining a first and a second undercut. The method includes embedding the profile body in the second object so that the second undercut is within material of the second object, and embedding the profile body within material of the first object so that the first undercut is within the first object, and wherein at least embedding of the profile body in the first object is caused by mechanical energy impinging on the first object and/or on the second object while the first object and the second object are pressed against each other.

A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

A method for connecting a surface-structured workpiece (SSW) and a plastic workpiece using a joining tool with a sonotrode. The method includes: positioning the SSW and the plastic workpiece on an anvil such that a structured contact surface section (SCSS) of the SSW faces a contact surface of the plastic workpiece; positioning the sonotrode in contact with an outer surface of the SSW that is opposite to the SCSS; and applying pressure to the sonotrode and/or the anvil perpendicular to the contact surface to hold the workpieces fixed between the anvil and the sonotrode and applying ultrasonic vibrations to the workpieces by the sonotrode for a predetermined period of time to induce softening of the plastic workpiece and penetrate pin-like elements of the SCSS into the plastic workpiece.

A method of bonding together a first object and a second object having a flat part and an opening defining a contour is provided. The second object has a fastening portion having a coupling structure defining an undercut and running around a periphery of the opening. The method includes positioning the first object relative to the second object in the opening, and providing a thermoplastic material along the contour, causing a relative force between the second and first objects and impinging the assembly of the first and second object with mechanical vibration until at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows into the coupling structure, and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify.

A laminate foam material and a method of making laminate foam material is provided. The laminate foam material includes a layer of non-foam material sandwiched between two layers of foam material. The non-foam material is bonded to the foam material, such as with a bonding agent and/or by heating respective surfaces of the foam material until the surface softens or melts. When a heating process is utilized, the non-foam material is pressed against the softened or melted foam material. As the foam material begins to cool, the non-foam material becomes bonded to the foam material. The non-foam material is narrower than the foam material and is positioned relative to the foam material such that the edges of the non-foam material are concealed by the foam material. Foam products, such as foam mats, can be formed from the laminate foam material by cutting across the width of the foam material.

A hybrid bonded-fastened (HBF) joint 100 is described. The hybrid bonded-fastened (HBF) joint comprises: a first component 110 having a first joint surface 111, wherein the first component 110 is a composite component; a second component 120 having a second joint surface 121, wherein the second component 121 is a metallic component; a set of projections 130, including a first projection 130A, mutually interlocking the first component 110 and the second component 120 via the first joint surface 111 and the second joint surface 121; and an adhesive 140 mutually adhesively bonding the first component 110 and the second component 120 via the first joint surface 111 and the second joint surface 121; wherein the adhesive 140 comprises and/or is a disbondable adhesive.

The present invention concerns a reinforcing material comprising at least one fibrous reinforcement associated on at least one of its faces with a thermoplastic porous layer, said thermoplastic porous layer(s) representing at most 10% of the total mass of the reinforcing material, preferably from 0.5 to 10% of the total mass of the reinforcing material, and more preferably from 2 to 6% of the total mass of the reinforcing material, characterized in that said thermoplastic porous layer or each of said thermoplastic porous layers present comprises a so-called reactive thermoplastic polymer or consists of one or more reactive thermoplastic polymers, a reactive thermoplastic polymer carrying NH2 functions in an amount greater than 0.15 meq/g of reactive thermoplastic polymer and/or carrying COOH functions in an amount greater than 0.20 meq/g of reactive thermoplastic polymer.

The invention also concerns processes for manufacturing such reinforcement materials, preforms, processes for manufacturing composite parts and composite parts using such reinforcement materials.