Stabilizing fabric with weave reinforcement for resin matrices
AssigneeKetema, Inc.
InventorsFrederick H. Curzio, Peter R. Moores
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A woven, stabilized fabric suitable for reinforcing resin matrices is provided. The fabric comprises a woven fabric of graphite, fiberglass, aramid, etc., in which a limited amount of a resin coated fiber is woven into one direction of the fabric. Prior to weaving, the resin coated fiber is initially coated with a resin such as an epoxy, polyimide, etc., followed by drying and then weaving into the fabric with as few picks as possible. When the fabric is heated, the resin coat melts and adheres to the fabric, and imparting stabilizing properties thereto. The stabilized fabric is then set up in a mold for resin impregnation, without undergoing undesirable movement.
Claims33
A stabilized, reinforcing fabric for a resin matrix in composites, the fabric being woven in a warp direction, the fabric having a width in excess of about six inches, and stabilizing weft pick fibers at about 2-10 picks per inch woven in the fabric;
- the weft fibers being coated with about 2%-50% of resin by weight of the said weft fiber prior to weaving;
- the resin coating on the said weft fibers being adapted to melt when the fabric is heated causing the said weft fibers to adhere to, and stabilize the fabric during handling, and when subsequently positioned in a mold for impregnation by a resin matrix.
A composite having improved uniform properties following handling, comprising a stabilized reinforced fabric woven in the warp direction;
- and, stabilizing weft pick fibers at about 2-10 picks per inch woven into the fabric;
- the said weft pick fibers being coated prior to weaving with about 2%-50% of solid resin based on the fiber weight;
- the resin coating on the weft pick fibers being adapted to melt when the fabric is heated, causing the weft pick fibers to adhere to, and stabilize the fabric during handling, and also when positioned subsequently in a mold;
- the fabric then being resin impregnated and cured to form the said composite;
- the fabric being manufactured in a width in excess of about six inches.
A process for producing a reinforced composite comprising the steps of forming a reinforced fabric woven in a warp direction, for use in the composite, the fabric providing a width in excess of about six inches;
- interweaving stabilizing, resin-coated, weft pick fibers into the fabric at about 2-10 picks per inch, the weft pick fibers, prior to weaving, being coated with about 2%-50% of the resin, by weight of the fibers, the resin coating on the pick weave fibers being adapted to melt when the fabric is heated, causing the weft pick fibers to adhere to, and stabilize the fabric during handling, and when subsequently positioned in a mold for resin impregnation;
- impregnating the fabric with a resin matrix;
- and, curing the resin matrix to form the composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.