Abstract:
Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.
Abstract:
Pre- impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be molded to form composite parts that have high levels of both strength and damage tolerance without causing any substantial negative impact upon the physical or chemical characteristics of the uncured prepreg or cured part. This is achieved by including in the matrix resin a substantial amount of a multifunctional aromatic epoxy resin that has at least one phenyl group that is meta-substituted.
Abstract:
Aircraft floor panels where core-skin bonding is improved between honeycomb and composite face sheets (skins) by applying a nylon-based (polyamide) adhesive to the edge of the honeycomb prior to bonding. Edge coating of the honeycomb allows one to reduce panel weight without reducing the performance parameters that are required for different types of aircraft floor panels.
Abstract:
Machinable composite molds for use in making a composite structure. The mold includes a mold body having a tool surface that is shaped to provide the molded surface of the composite structure. The mold body is made up of at least one mold layer composed of a quasi- isotropic material composed of a plurality of randomly oriented fiber bundles or chips impregnated with a resin. The use of randomly oriented fiber chips allows post-cure machining of the mold body.
Abstract:
A removable stowage bin assembly (10) for quick conversion of an aircraft between a passenger-carrying mode and a cargo-carrying mode includes a stowage bin (14) and a first assembly comprised of a clevis fitting (32) attached to the framework of the aircraft (48) and a hook (34) attached to the stowage bin (14), the hook (34) being removably and pivotally attachable to the clevis fitting (32). A second assembly is comprised of a tie rod (54) having a first end pivotally attached to the framework of the aircraft (48) and a bracket (62) attached to the stowage bin (14). The tie rod (54) has a second end attachable to the framework of the aircraft (48) in a cargo-carrying mode. A third assembly is comprised of a female fitting (79) having an opening and attached to one of the framework of the aircraft (48) and the stowage bin (14), and a male fitting (84) having a protrusion and attached to the other end of the framework of the aircraft (48) and the stowage bin (14). The protrusion of the male fitting (84) is mateable in the opening of the female fitting (79) in the passenger-carrying mode.
Abstract:
A non-metallic honeycomb structure (10) wherein the thermal conductivity of the structure is increased by incorporating high thermal conductivity pitch-based carbon fibers (20) into the non-metallic resin matrix. In addition to increasing thermal conductivity, the pitch-based carbon fibers (20) are utilized to provide controlled directional heat conductance through the honeycomb structure (10).
Abstract:
A non-metallic honeycomb structure (10) wherein the thermal conductivity of the structure is increased by incorporating high thermal conductivity pitch-based carbon fibers (82) into the non-metallic resin matrix. In addition to increasing thermal conductivity, the pitch-based carbon fibers (82) are utilized to provide controlled directional heat conductance through the honeycomb structure (10). In one preferred embodiment, the pitch-based fibers (82) are oriented to extend at an angle of plus or minus 55 to 60 degrees relative to the lengthwise direction of the honeycomb structure to provide optimum performance characteristics at a reduced cost.
Abstract:
A non-metallic honeycomb structure (10) wherein the thermal conductivity of the structure is increased by incorporating high thermal conductivity pitch-based carbon fibers (20) into the non-metallic resin matrix. In addition to increasing thermal conductivity, the pitch-based carbon fibers (20) are utilized to provide controlled directional heat conductance through the honeycomb structure. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the cell walls (80) are formed from a plurality of non-metallic unidirectional fabric layers (82, 84, 86), at least one of which consists essentially of unidirectionally oriented high thermal conductivity fibers.
Abstract:
A composite pre-slit tape useful as a protective carrier system for storing and handling high modulus fibers and processes for protecting such fibers are disclosed. An exemplary composite pre-slit tape (12) includes a plurality of generally elongated and collimated pre-slit laminates (28, 30, 32) oriented in a single plane and releasably bonded to a removable continuous backing layer (33) which is in the form of a long thin tape. Each pre-slit laminate includes an adhesive layer (34) located adjacent the continuous backing layer and a fiber supporting layer (36) located adjacent the adhesive layer (34). In use as a fiber protective carrier (10), each pre-slit laminate (28, 30) is bonded to a fiber bundle (22, 24) of a plurality of collimated fibers (14, 16, 18, 20) arranged in a single layer. Each fiber (14, 16, 18, 20) is bonded along its length to the supporting layer (36) of the pre-slit laminate (28, 30). The combination of secured fibers and pre-slit laminate can be fed directly to a loom for forming woven fabric.