A method of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.

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.

The method of bonding a first object (1) to a second object (2) uses a connector, the connector having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion (32). The first sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding first attachment portion (33), and the second sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding second attachment portion (34). The connector (3) further has a spacer between the first and second sheet portions. For bonding, the first and second objects (1, 2) and the connector (3) are positioned relative to each other so that the connector is placed between the first and second objects. Then the first and second objects (1, 2) are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy impinges on the first and/or second object until a first flow portion of thermoplastic material of the first object in contact with the first attachment portion(s) and a second flow portion of thermoplastic material in contact with the second attachment portion(s) become flowable allowing the respective attachment portions (33, 34) to be pressed into material of the first and second object, respectively. After re-solidification of the flow portions, a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects via the connector results. The spacer defines a width (w) of a gap between the first and second objects (1, 2) after bonding.

A multilayer sealed skin, in particular for an inflatable structure and that includes a first polymer film, a reinforcing fabric disposed on the first polymer film and a second polymer film disposed on the reinforcing fabric and adhered by means of an adhesive to the first polymer film through cavities in the reinforcing fabric. The skin can be applied to the production of an inflatable structural element such as an inflatable beam for which the skin forms an outer wall of the structural element and for which the first film of the skin forms an inner face of the outer wall of the structural element, and the second film forms an outer face of the wall.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of liners, linings, and liquid containment vessels including the same. Also disclosed are exemplary method of providing liners and linings for liquid containment vessels, such as process tanks, immersion tanks, containment pits, gravity feed conduits for transferring or conveying liquid, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a liner or lining is anchored to at least one structural component by at least one extrusion weld and at least one mechanical fastener. The mechanical fastener is coupled to the structural component. The extrusion weld is coupled to the mechanical fastener. The liner or lining may be anchored to a wide range of structural components, such as a frame, a framework, a frame member, a tank, a wall, a support member, a reinforcing member, an outer shell, a substrate (e.g., concrete, etc.) or sidewalls defining a pit or a gravity feed conduit, combinations thereof, other structures or components, etc.

A Z-pin for increasing a delamination resistance of continuous fibre-reinforced polymer composites, formed of a composite material including a polymer matrix, and a plurality of fibres embedded in the polymer matrix and aligned along the length direction of Z-pin, the fibres having an elongation at break of at least 2% and a tensile strength of at least 5 GPa, the polymer matrix having an elongation at break equal to or greater than the elongation at break of the fibres, and a tensile strength of at least 120 MPa.

A method of directly joining a polymer to a metal along a joint interface through the formation of C—O—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 C—O—M chemical bonds between the metal and the polymer.

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 of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of liners, linings, and liquid containment vessels including the same. Also disclosed are exemplary method of providing liners and linings for liquid containment vessels, such as process tanks, immersion tanks, containment pits, gravity feed conduits for transferring or conveying liquid, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a liner or lining is anchored to at least one structural component by at least one extrusion weld and at least one mechanical fastener. The mechanical fastener is coupled to the structural component. The extrusion weld is coupled to the mechanical fastener. The liner or lining may be anchored to a wide range of structural components, such as a frame, a framework, a frame member, a tank, a wall, a support member, a reinforcing member, an outer shell, a substrate (e.g., concrete, etc.) or sidewalls defining a pit or a gravity feed conduit, combinations thereof, other structures or components, etc.