Nonwoven interlayers made using polymer-nanoparticle polymers

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a composite structure is provided. The method includes positioning a polymer-nanoparticle-enhanced interlayer adjacent to a first fiber layer. The polymer-nanoparticle-enhanced interlayer comprises at least one polymer and derivatized nanoparticles included in the molecular backbone of the at least one polymer, wherein the nanoparticles are derivatized to include functional groups. The method further includes positioning a second fiber layer adjacent to the polymer-nanoparticle-enhanced interlayer attached to the first fiber layer. The first fiber layer and the second fiber layer are infused with resin. The resin is cured to harden the composite structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.