Hexcel Composites Limited

Hexcel Composites Gmbh & Co Kg

Hexcel Corporatioin

Mark Whiter

John Leslie Cawse

Philip Hadley

Chris Harrington

David Allan Tilbrook

Michael Rhodes

Thorsten Ganglberger

Michael Reisinger

Armin Heidrich

Alistair Storer

Armin OE Heidrich

The present invention is concerned with a moulding material comprising: a) A primary non-woven fibre layer; b) A secondary non-woven fibre layer, and c) A resin layer; wherein the resin layer bonds the secondary non-woven fibre layer to a first surface of the primary non-woven fibre layer, and the resin layer is exposed on the second surface of the primary non-woven layer.

Moulding material

A moulding material which comprises: (a) a structural reinforcement layer comprising a fibrous reinforcement material optionally in combination with a second resin composition; and (b) a surface enhancing layer, for contacting a surface of a mould or tool, comprising a first non-woven fibre carrier in combination with a first resin composition containing a rheology modifier and a curing agent, wherein the first resin composition provides an external mould or tool-contacting surface of the moulding material. The moulding material can be cured to form a moulded article having a high quality surface finish that requires minimal preparation before painting and/or application in its intended use. The moulded article may be provided with sacrificial discontinuous indicator means to assist in uniform removal of a part of the surface enhancing layer of the moulded article for specific applications.

Surface finishing moulding material comprising a rheology-modified epoxy layer

The invention relates to a particulate curing component for a thermosetting resin, the particulate curing component comprising particles of a solid resin, wherein a curative for the thermosetting resin is dispersed within the particles of solid resin. The invention also relates to methods of forming particulate curing components and compositions comprising particulate curing components.

Particulate curing components

A curable sheet-like composite material comprising a layer of curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibres and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Composite materials

A curable sheet-like composite material comprising curable resin and at least one layer of structural fibers and comprising an outer backing layer of substantially resin-free material which is gas permeable but is substantially non-permeable with respect to the curable resin at room temperature.

Semi-preg material is disclosed adapted for use in composite material comprising a) a first resin layer, b) covered on both side by layers of fibrous reinforcements whereby c) one of the two fabric layers is coated with a second resin layer and d) wherein said second resin layer has a tack level of not more than 100 N. Such semi-preg material has improved handling properties and contributes to the superior mechanical properties of the composite material formed therewith.

Semi-preg material with a property-enhancing surface film for improved properties

A composite material assembly () comprises a) a surface enhancing layer () comprising at least one layer of fibers, having a length to width aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and b) a structural layer () comprising at least one reinforcing fiber and at least one polymeric matrix.

Composite material assembly

A prepreg assembly comprising resin and fibers and comprising an uppermost curable resin surface layer such that when the assembly is cured, the uppermost surface layer has a sandability of at least 0.30 mg/cycle over 200 cycles, as measured according to ASTM D4060 using a Taber 5151 Abrasion Tester fitted with H18 wheels and a 1.0 kg weight is provided.

Aqueous solutions of inorganic nitrate salts are used to accelerate the gelling of epoxy gelcoat resins without adversely affecting the glass transition temperature of the finally cured gelcoat. The aqueous accelerants may be used to accelerate gelling of gelcoats that are formed during initial fabrication of composite parts. The aqueous acclerants are also useful for shortening the gel time of gelcoats that are intended for use in repairing damaged structures.

Accelerated curing of epoxy gelcoats

Curing agents for epoxy resins are provided in which an imidazole is substituted on the nitrogen atom by a long chain group. This provides greater latexing (stability) at ambient temperatures without adversely affecting curing properties at temperatures of 50.degree. C. upwards. Those components in which the chain is substituted by a hydroxy group on the 2 position are particularly preferred and are novel compounds.

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Saffron Walden, United Kingdom

Mark Whiter