A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

A composite structure of a cargo body and a method of making the same are disclosed. The composite structure includes at least one electrical grid embedded within fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) layers. The embedded electrical grid includes a plurality of conductive fibers and a plurality of insulating fibers integrated into a polymer matrix of the FRP layers. The embedded electrical grid may be used for power distribution, structural strengthening and stiffness, and/or puncture detection.

Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

A method of manufacturing an external breast prosthesis (12), includes the steps of providing a 3D image of the breast prosthesis, forming the breast prosthesis using an additive manufacturing process, in which additive manufacturing process the breast prosthesis is made by forming a structure of a thermoplastic elastomer, the structure corresponding to the 3D image of the breast prosthesis, wherein the structure is a reticulated solid foam.

A method for connecting at least two structural parts of an orthopedic component, wherein the structural parts are retained in an orienting device while oriented in relation to each other, and an intermediate space thus being formed between the structural parts. The orienting device and the structural parts together form a cavity, which has a flow connection to at least one feed connection, via which an adhesive for adhesively bonding the structural parts is introduced into the cavity.

Very good impregnation quality is achieved by a process for production of a fiber-composite material, with introducing a fiber layer by a spreader device and thus spreading to a width greater than that of the final product, at least by a factor of 1.2, where the extent of spreading of the fiber layer is such that its average thickness is 1 to 50 times the filament diameter; applying a melt by at least one applicator nozzle to the spread material; by virtue of cross-section-narrowing, the mould brings the width of the wetted fiber layer at least to the cross section with which the product leaves the take-off die; a radius then deflects the wetted fibers by an angle of 5 to 60°; a relaxation zone renders the fiber distribution more uniform to give a uniform height; achieving the first shaping by a take-off die at the end of the mould.

An apparatus for fastening a pair of gas vessels includes: a plurality of first units formed of a composite material, spaced apart from each other in parallel with each other in a length direction of the gas vessel, and having the pair of gas vessels seated on both sides thereof; a second unit formed of a composite material and extending in the length direction of the gas vessels to integrally connect the plurality of first units; and a plurality of fastening units each of which extending along a circumference of the gas vessels to enclose the gas vessels seated on the first units and having both ends connected to the first units.

A method for renovating the interior of a hollow structure such as a sewerage pit (1) is described. The method provides an access opening (16) to the hollow structure (1); provides a plurality of material sheets (3) comprising reinforcing fibers and a curable resin composition through the access opening (16) and against a wall (11a, 11b) of the hollow structure (1); and provides an inflatable pressure means (4a, 4b) within the hollow structure (1). The pressure means (4a, 4b) are inflated against the wall (11a, 11b). A curing means (6) is then provided within the hollow structure (1) for curing the resin composition; and the resin composition is cured to harden the material sheets and provide a renovated interior of the hollow structure (1).

A bed board for a diagnostic bed of a medical examination apparatus is formed in a material that includes basalt fibers. The bed board may have a bed board body composed of basalt fibers and a filler in a predetermined ratio, or may be formed by a hollow shell, composed of basalt fibers and a binder in a predetermined ratio, with the hollow shell being filled by a filler material.

A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part may comprise the steps of locating a thermoplastic material over a mold tool, heating the thermoplastic material to a pliable forming temperature, conforming the thermoplastic material to a mold surface of the mold tool, and depositing a plurality of fiber strips over the thermoplastic material.