The invention relates to a pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material in laminar form, obtained impregnating a fibrous mass with a polymeric binder composition and intended to be subjected to successive forming and complete curing operations to produce a fibre-reinforced composite material. The polymeric binder composition comprises one or more resins chosen in the group consisting of siloxane resins and silsesquioxane resins, and can optionally comprise one or more organic resins. The polymeric binder composition appears as a liquid with viscosity between 55000 and 10000 mPas at temperatures between 50° C. and 70° C. The polymeric binder composition forms a polymeric binder matrix, not cross-linked or only partially cross-linked, that fills the interstices of the fibrous mass. The invention also relates to a method for making said pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material in laminar form. The invention also relates to a manufactured article obtained by hot forming and complete curing of the aforesaid pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material, as well as a method for making said manufactured article.

The invention relates to a pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material in laminar form, obtained impregnating a fibrous mass with a polymeric binder composition and intended to be subjected to successive forming and complete curing operations to produce a fibre-reinforced composite material. The polymeric binder composition comprises one or more resins chosen in the group consisting of siloxane resins and silsesquioxane resins, and can optionally comprise one or more organic resins. The polymeric binder composition appears as a liquid with viscosity between 55000 and 10000 mPas at temperatures between 50° C. and 70° C. The polymeric binder composition forms a polymeric binder matrix, not cross-linked or only partially cross-linked, that fills the interstices of the fibrous mass. The invention also relates to a method for making said pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material in laminar form. The invention also relates to a manufactured article obtained by hot forming and complete curing of the aforesaid pre-impregnated fibre-reinforced composite material, as well as a method for making said manufactured article.

The present invention relates to a method of molding a shell part of a wind turbine blade comprising the steps of providing a mold (64) comprising a mold cavity (66) with a root end (68) and an opposing tip end (70), arranging one or more preformed sheets (72a, 72b, 72c) in the mold cavity (66), wherein each preformed sheet comprises a mixture of fibre rovings (82) and a binding agent, wherein the fibre rovings are at least partially joined together by means of the binding agent, and injecting the one or more preformed sheets (72a, 72b, 72c) with a resin to mold the shell part. The present invention also relates to a shell part of a wind turbine blade obtainable by said method, to a preformed sheet for use in said method and to a method of manufacturing said preformed sheet.

Forming systems and assemblies as disclosed herein comprise a composite material comprising a structural component and a resin component combined with the reinforcing component. A forming element is disposed within the composite material and has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than that of the composite material. The forming element is positioned to provide a desired integral structural reinforcement and/or surface feature to the composite. The composite material may comprise one or more passages extending from a surface thereof to the forming element. The composite material may be cured by heat to take a set configuration and then allowed to cool. The cooling of the composite material and the forming element enables the forming element to contract relative to the composite material and become delaminated therefrom to facilitate easy removal, and thereby provide an improved method and assembly for making structural reinforcing features in composite structures.

A bonded joint for use in bonding composite materials is provided and includes a composite rib having electrically conductive properties and a composite structure having electrically conductive properties. An electrically conductive preform is provided that facilitates a bond between the composite rib and the composite structure. A mesh composition that bonds the composite rib to the preform and that bonds the preform to the composite structure is provided and is electrically conductive to conduct current between the composite rib and the composite structure.

The present invention relates to a method and system for manufacturing a wind turbine blade. The method comprising the steps of forming a cured blade element (102) of a first blade shell, forming a cured blade element (102) of a second blade shell, transferring the cured blade element (102) of the first blade shell to a first cradle (92), and transferring the cured blade element (102) of the second blade shell to a second cradle (94). Each cradle comprises a mould body (96, 98) having a moulding surface for abutting against a surface of the cured blade element to advantageously form a seal therebetween.

A composite prepreg laminate such as a hat type-stringer is formed on a contoured mandrel using a combination of mechanical sweeping and vacuum forming.

The present invention relates to a composite material obtained by in situ polymerization of a thermoplastic resin with a fibrous material. More particularly the present invention relates to a polymeric composite material obtained by in-situ polymerization of a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic resin and a fibrous material containing long fibers and its use, a process for making such a composite material and manufactured mechanical or structured part or article comprising this polymeric composite material.

The present invention relates to a composite material obtained by in situ polymerization of a thermoplastic resin with a fibrous material. More particularly the present invention relates to a polymeric composite material obtained by in-situ polymerization of a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic resin and a fibrous material containing long fibers and its use, a process for making such a composite material and manufactured mechanical or structured part or article comprising this polymeric composite material.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.