B29K105/08

Fungal textile materials and leather analogs

Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Permeable radius filler for composite structure
11655018 · 2023-05-23 · ·

A method of manufacturing a cured composite structure includes placing a radius filler element into a radius cavity extending along a length of a composite base member. The radius filler element is formed of a permeable material. The method also includes absorbing resin from the composite base member into the permeable material of the radius filler element. The method additionally includes curing or solidifying the resin in the radius filler element and in the composite base member to form a cured composite structure in which the resin bonds the radius filler element to the composite base member.

Hose extrusion mandrel and method for manufacturing a hose

A hose extrusion mandrel for manufacturing rubber hoses includes: a solid thermoplastic, elongate core; and a rubber compound outer layer covering a surface of the elongate core. A ratio between a diameter of the core and a thickness of the rubber compound layer may be between 8 and 11.

Reinforced structure having continuous fiber reinforced elements and method of making thereof

Disclosed are reinforced structures. The structures are comprised of reinforced elements that have continuous fibers embedded in a matrix material. The reinforced elements are combined in a matrix material to form a desired shape of reinforced structure.

Article comprising a fiber reinforced polypropylene composition

The present invention is directed to an article comprising a fiber reinforced composition (C), said composition comprising a propylene polymer (PP), an elastomeric ethylene copolymer (E) and fibers (F).

Panel with paint ready surface

In a preferred embodiment, a composite panel with a smooth outer surface, ready for painting with or without addition of primer, may be created by constructing a panel layup assembly upon a mold, the panel layup assembly including a composite panel having a core and a resin formulation, and a release film between the mold and the composite panel, where a smooth release surface of the release film is in contact with the composite panel upon construction; initiating curing of the composite panel at a first temperature within a lowermost ten percent of a curing temperature range of the resin formulation; continuing curing of the composite panel at a second temperature above the lowermost ten percent of the curing temperature range; and completing curing of the composite panel at a third temperature below the second temperature.

Prepreg, laminate, and molding

An object of the present invention is to provide a prepreg and a laminate for producing a laminate suitable as a structural material, which have excellent compressive strength and interlaminar fractural toughness values, and can be firmly integrated with another structural member by welding. The present invention provides a prepreg including the following structural components [A] reinforcing fibers, [B] a thermosetting resin, and [C] a thermoplastic resin, in which [B] has a rubbery state elastic modulus of 10 MPa or more at a temperature obtained by adding 50° C. to a glass transition temperature in a state in which a degree of cure is 90% or more, [C] is present in a surface of the prepreg, and the reinforcing fibers [A] are present, which are included in a resin area including {B] and a resin area including [C] across an interface between the two resin areas.

Composite structure splice and method

A method for fabricating a composite structure. A first section for the composite structure is formed in which the first section has a first end with a chevron shape, wherein first composite layers in the first section has a first step pattern at the first end. A second section for the composite structure is formed in which the second section has a second end with a counterpart shape to the chevron shape and in which second composite layers in the second section have a second step pattern at the second end. The first end the second end are positioned such that a first composite layer in the first composite layers in the first step pattern overlap the second composite layers in the second step pattern at a splice location.

Armor preparation method and system
11845232 · 2023-12-19 ·

The present invention provides a system and method for preparing armor made of para-aramid fibers, including a plurality of rollers feeding an input source of the para-aramid fibers, the fibers being at a first temperature. The system and method include a heating mechanism encapsulating at least a portion of the plurality of rollers, the heating mechanism heating the para-aramid fibers fed by the rollers from the first temperature to a second temperature. The method and system include a press, including a plurality of plates, whereupon the para-aramid fibers reaching the second temperature, the para-aramid fibers are fed into and compressed between the plurality of plates by the press, and heated to a third temperature. The method and system include a cooling section supporting the plurality of plates and the para-aramid fibers compressed therein while the para-aramid fibers cool from the third temperature to a fourth temperature.

Method and apparatus for continuous composite three-dimensional printing
11865775 · 2024-01-09 · ·

A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.