Goodrich Corporation

The B. F. Goodrich Company

Craig Cartwright

Anthony M Mazany

John William Robinson

Joshua Hernandez

Joshua James Radice

Nathan Edward Hornig

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites possessing improved damping ability are provided. In one aspect, the fibers provide the composite with a relatively high dynamic modulus over a broad range of frequencies for a given temperature. In another aspect, the polymer may comprise a viscoelastic polymer possessing a relatively high loss factor for a given frequency and temperature. The polymer may be further tailored to control the center frequency at which the maximum loss factor of the polymer is achieved. The composite so formed exhibits a relatively small reduction in loss factor with significant increase in dynamic modulus over a broad range of frequencies for a given temperature. As a result, a structure damped by the composite exhibits a relatively high, constant loss factor as compared to conventional damping materials. Thus, embodiments of the disclosed composites dissipate significantly more energy during each vibration cycle than conventional damping materials.

Polymer composites possessing improved vibration damping

A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network matrix. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiOsource and water), an acidic inorganic composition, such as a reactive glass, water and optional fillers, additives and processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and applying the temperature and pressure necessary to consolidate the desired form. The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods. A notable aspect of the invention is that, although composite and neat resin components prepared from the invention can exhibit excellent dimensional stability to 1000&#xb0; C. and higher, they can be prepared at the lower temperatures and pressures typical to organic polymer processing.

Inorganic matrix compositions and composites incorporating the matrix composition

A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic polymer matrix having improved mechanical properties. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiOsource and water), a non-silicate network former and/or reactive glass, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15&#xb0; C. up to 1000&#xb0; C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15&#xb0; C. to about 200&#xb0; C. and pressures &#x3c;200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Inorganic matrix compositions, composites incorporating the matrix, and process of making the same

Inorganic matrix composition and composites incorporating the matrix composition

A modified alkali silicate composition for forming an inorganic network. The modified alkali silicate matrix is made by reacting an alkali silicate (or its precursors such as an alkali hydroxide, a SiOsource and water), an acidic oxoanionic compound such as phosphoric acid, water and optionally one or more multivalent cation(s) selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table such as an alkaline earth salt, water and optional processing aids. An inorganic matrix composite can be prepared by applying a slurry of the modified aqueous alkali silicate composition to a reinforcing medium and curing the composite at a temperature from about 15&#xb0; C. up to 1000&#xb0; C. and a pressure of up to 20,000 psi for typical high-performance organic polymer processing (temperatures about 15&#xb0; C. to about 200&#xb0; C. and pressures &#x3c;200 psi). The composite can be shaped by compression molding as well as other known fabrication methods.

Inorganic matrix compositions, composites and process of making the same

An improved acoustic window for an acoustic waveform passage having a generally uniform transmission loss at an angle of incidence of between &minus;40&deg; and &plus;40&deg;. The composition is formed from at least one core layer and at least two septa, with the core layer being a material having a generally low-acoustic-impedance, a static shear modulus between about 1.0 psi (0.007 MPa) and about 15,000 psi (103 MPa), a transverse (or through-thickness) sound velocity for the acoustic waveform of between about 700 and about 2200 meters per second, a transverse acoustic impedance of less than or equal to 4&times;10 kilograms per square meter-second, and a shear loss factor of greater than 0.02, the septa being composed of at least one ply of a material, preferably a graphite fiber reinforced epoxy composition, having a transverse acoustic impedance of less than 60&times;10 kg/m -sec, a tensile modulus of more than 0.5&times;10 psi, a thickness of less than 0.10 &lgr;, and each and being bonded to said core to form a sandwich with said core layer, and the window preferably has a thickness of less than 1.0 &lgr; and the acoustic waveform has a &lgr; of at least 0.001 meter and less than 3 meters.

Acoustic window

A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article includes the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the pressure on the material and temperature of the material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the pressure and temperature of the fluid.

Pressure equalized vacuum resin infusion process

A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article comprises the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the reinforcing material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the fluid.

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Jacksonville, FL, United States of America

Craig Cartwright