Hexcel Corporation

Susan M Brinkerhoff

Kenneth S Baron

Frank W Lee

Stella M McKinney

James R Watts

Thomas K Owen

William J Swanson

Frank F Lee

A strong, lightweight composite material having beneficial flexing characteristics is made using a unique reinforcement material. The reinforcement material comprises a fabric incorporating glass rovings with graphite tows in an architectural combination that retains the properties of both materials. Composite structures made using this reinforcement material with a thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix are extremely lightweight, with desirable anisotropic flexing properties. The finished composite structure is extremely useful as an arch support in a shoe to absorb and distribute the forces generated by walking. In distributing forces on the foot such a support will provide the desired stiffness along the longitudinal axis while allowing increased flexibility along the transverse axis.

Materials and processes for fabricating formed composite articles and

A fiber reinforced resin matrix composite material repair system is provided, which critically employs a resin comprising a catalyst of the formula I: ##STR1## with a multifunctional epoxy resin, the resin system being sealed in a water-proofed environment prior to being coated onto a fiber reinforcement. The coated fiber reinforcement is applied over the damaged area, the damaged portion having been removed, and the surrounding surface smoothed. An adhesive is applied to the remaining surface, prior to application of the patch. The resulting patch, which may further include thermoplastic toughening agents and an enhancer, can be directly cured at temperatures below 212.degree. F. to give physical properties similar to the original material.

Low energy cured composite repair system based on imidazole-blocked

Low energy cured composite repair system based on epoxy resin with

Growing community of inventors

San Lorenzo, CA, United States of America

Susan M Brinkerhoff