Opaque fiber reinforcement of composites

A method for reinforcing a composite material, comprising:

• providing a first polymeric matrix resin;
• providing transparent glass elements;
• providing opaque elements;
• embedding the transparent glass elements and the opaque elements in the polymeric matrix resin;
• creating a prepreg;
• forming a composite by laying up said prepreg using said transparent glass elements and said opaque elements;
• and
• curing said composite.

A method of forming a structural window, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a plurality of optically clear elements defining at least one transparent region in a center of the window;
• embedding and surrounding the plurality of optically clear elements by a polymeric matrix, the plurality of optically clear elements substantially aligned adjacent each other in a plane;
• embedding a plurality of opaque reinforcing elements in the polymeric matrix, the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements defining at least one opaque region, a first section of the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements substantially aligned adjacent each other in the plane;
• and
• positioning the plurality of optically clear elements and the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements such that the transparent region substantially excludes the opaque reinforcing elements in the center of the window and the opaque region substantially excludes the optically clear elements in a first side region and a second side region, and the plurality of optically clear elements and the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements further configured in a nonsuperimposed configuration with respect to each other in the center of the window, the first side region, and the second side region.

A method of forming a composite structural window having a window border in an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

• embedding a plurality of optically clear elements in and surrounded by a polymeric matrix, the plurality of optically clear elements defining at least one transparent region, each of said optically clear elements comprising optically transparent material, the plurality of optically clear elements substantially aligned adjacent each other in a plane;
• embedding a plurality of opaque reinforcing elements in and surrounded by the polymeric matrix, the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements defining at least one opaque region, the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements substantially aligned adjacent each other in the plane and also positioned generally adjacent to the plurality of optically clear elements in a first side region and a second side region framing the center of the window, the at least one opaque region adjacent the border of the window and surrounding the transparent region;
• and
• positioning the plurality of optically clear elements and the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements such that the transparent region substantially excludes opaque reinforcing element in the center of the window and the opaque region substantially excludes optically clear elements in the first side region and the second side region of the window, and the plurality of optically clear element and the plurality of opaque reinforcing elements positioned in the window in a nonsuperimposed configuration in the center, the first side region, and the second side region.