Described herein are thermoplastic composites and methods of making thereof. The thermoplastic composites disclosed herein can include at least one randomly-oriented carbon fiber layer in the laminate to improve induction heating efficiency of the thermoplastic composite.

An induction heating compaction system is provided. The system includes an induction heating member and a compaction member. The induction heating member is configured to generate an electromagnetic field at a select frequency. The select frequency causes at least one of the fibers and matrix in pre-preg material to heat up. The compaction member has at least a portion that is made from a material that is transparent to the select frequency of the electromagnetic field generated by the induction heating member. The compaction member includes a cooling assembly that is configured and arranged to extract heat from the pre-preg material, while compacting the pre-preg material.

Sealed connection between an elastomeric or synthetic polymer flexible pipe or hose and a metallic coupling member. The coupling member surrounds an armor layer at a free end of the flexible pipe or hose. A sealing area is defined by a recessed portion of the pipe coupling into which a sealing material is introduced. An inner liner layer thereof may extend into the sealing area where it is bonded to the sealing material. The sealing material and the inner liner layer may each include a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material. A reinforcement material may be provided in the inner liner layer. In one embodiment the sealing material is injected into the sealing area. In another embodiment the sealing material is provided in the form of meltable ring which fits into the sealing area before fitting of the coupling member, and is activated by an induction heater to effect the sealed connection.

A heat sink for use in electromagnetic welding of molded parts includes reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix material, where substantially all of the reinforcing fibers are oriented unidirectionally in a fiber direction, where the reinforcing fibers have a thermal conductivity at room temperature from 100-1000 W/m. K and an electrical resistivity at room temperature from 0.5-10.m, and where the matrix material comprises a high temperature resistant material, optionally a thermosetting resin, having a glass transition temperature Tg above 350 C. The heat sink is used in a method of connecting surfaces of a first molded part and a second molded part by electromagnetic welding. Cooling of the outer surface of the first molded part is provided by the heat sink in direct contact with the outer surface.