Composite structures
AssigneeCrompton Technology Group Limited
InventorsMichael Joel QUINN, James Alexander ASHWELL, Alfie Thomas John CALLERY
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a fibre-reinforced polymer structure. The method comprises providing a tubular mandrel with a roughened outer surface having an average surface roughness of at least 2 μm; applying one or more tows of continuous fibre to the roughened outer surface of the tubular mandrel under tension and introducing a polymer matrix resin either with or to the continuous fibre; and curing the polymer matrix resin to form a tubular fibre-reinforced polymer casing. The roughened outer surface of the tubular mandrel provides a high friction interface with the one or more tows of continuous fibre to mitigate slipping as the one or more tows of continuous fibre are applied to the tubular mandrel.
Claims15
A method of manufacturing a fibre-reinforced polymer structure, the method comprising:
- providing a tubular mandrel with a roughened outer surface having an average surface roughness of at least 2 μm;
- applying one or more tows of continuous fibre to the roughened outer surface of the tubular mandrel under tension and introducing a polymer matrix resin either with or to the continuous fibre;
- and
- curing the polymer matrix resin to form a tubular fibre-reinforced polymer casing;
- wherein the roughened outer surface of the tubular mandrel provides a high friction interface with the one or more tows of continuous fibre to mitigate slipping as the one or more tows of continuous fibre are applied to the tubular mandrel.
The method of clam 7, wherein the mandrel comprises at least one portion in which the outer surface curves towards or away from the central axis.
The method of clam 10, wherein the pressure vessel has a capacity of 500 L or less and/or a maximum internal operational pressure of 10 bar or more.
A fibre-reinforced polymer structure comprising:
- a fibre-reinforced polymer casing comprising one or more tows of continuous fibre held in a polymer matrix, the casing having an inner surface having an average surface roughness of at least 2 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.