Glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin tube having integral metal

Abstract

A synthetic resin, fiberglass reinforced tubular member having an integrally attached metallic element is disclosed, along with a pressure gelation method of fabricating the same. The tubular member is used in making electrical hot line tools, and to this end the metallic element is composited to the tube body without use of metallic fasteners or the like. In practice, a preimpregnated fiberglass material is wrapped about a mandrel to present a predetermined number of layers thereof, whereupon the metallic attachment is temporarily affixed to the fiberglass layer, preferably by placing strips of the wrapped material against the edges of the attachment and in bridging relationship to the wrapping. The fiberglass material is then cured to embed the attachment in the sidewall and yield a fused, void-free monolithic structure. The preferred pressure gelation curing technique also serves to form upraised ridges of fiberglass material along the length of the attachment to further ensure creation of an essentially integral unit.