Composite fasteners containing multiple reinforcing fiber types

Abstract

A method for making composite fasteners includes the provision of a mold containing an elongated cavity having a long axis and the shape of the fastener body, an elongated insert comprising a plurality of long, interwoven or intermingled first reinforcing fibers, and a hardenable liquid matrix that may include a plurality of short, second reinforcing fibers suspended therein. The insert is placed in the cavity such that the long reinforcing fibers are disposed generally parallel to the long axis of the cavity. The mold cavity is then filled with the liquid matrix such that the short reinforcing fibers are distributed generally uniformly throughout the mold cavity, and the liquid matrix of the suspension is then hardened so as to form a hardened fastener body encapsulating the first and second reinforcing fibers. The molded fastener is then removed from the mold, either for immediate use or for subsequent processing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.