Conformable structural reinforcement substrate and method of making same
OwnerHerschel Sternliebinventor
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Abstract
A structural reinforcement substrate with a conformable batt of relatively long staple oriented structural fibers disposed between at least two layers of randomly oriented short staple fibers and method of production thereof provides a strong, cohesive product which can readily be handled upon subsequent molding yet is readily conformable. Preferably, long oriented structural fibers are used in a plurality of planar elements. The jet orifices are widely spaced to minimize hydro-entanglement such that the original planar relationships of the fibers are substantially maintained.
Claims12
A structural reinforcement substrate comprising a conformable batt of oriented structural fibers arranged in one or more planar elements and at least two layers of randomly oriented short staple fibers where said conformable batt is disposed between said at least two layers of short staple fibers and a portion of said short staple fibers are entangled within said oriented structural fibers such that the original planar relationships of said structural fibers are substantially maintained.
A structural reinforcement substrate for resin impregnation molding comprising a conformable batt of oriented structural fibers between about 3 to about 8 inches in length oriented in a plurality of planar elements and at least two layers of randomly oriented short staple fibers, where said conformable batt is disposed between said at least two layers of short staple fibers and a portion of said short staple fibers are entangled within said oriented structural fibers such that the original planar relationships of said structural fibers are substantially maintained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.