The present invention relates to a hybrid prepreg having reinforcing carbon fibers and foreign fibers. The carbon fibers have a diameter ranging from 5-30 microns and are unidirectionally arranged. The foreign fibers are composed either of single monofilaments having a diameter ranging from between about 50-150 microns or of strands formed by bundling together a plurality of single monofilaments having a diameter ranging from between about 5-50 microns. If strands are employed, they have a conversion diameter (D.sub.0) which is less than about 500 microns. The conversion diameter (D.sub.0) is represented by the following equation: ##EQU1## wherein n is the number of monofilaments used in forming the strand, and wherein d is the diameter of these monofilaments. Examples of foreign fibers which can be used when practicing this invention include boron fibers, metal fibers and organic fibers. These foreign fibers are spaced at fixed intervals, arranged in the same direction as the direction of the reinforcing carbon fibers, and positioned approximately at or near the center of the resulting prepreg. The prepreg prepared in accordance with the present invention also includes a thermosetting matrix resin in which the reinforcing carbon fibers and the foreign fibers are impregnated.
Dec 28, 1989 [JP] 1-342441 Dec 29, 1989 [JP] 1-340586 Dec 29, 1989 [JP] 1-340587 Dec 29, 1989 [JP] 1-340588 Jan 26, 1990 [JP] 2-16706 Jan 26, 1990 [JP] 2-16707 Jan 26, 1990 [JP] 2-16708 Feb 23, 1990 [JP] 2-43743 Feb 23, 1990 [JP] 2-43744 Feb 23, 1990 [JP] 2-43745
5448932 - Composite hand tool - Owned by Snap-on Incorporated (Kenosha, WI) [*] Notice:The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to December 21, 2010 has been disclaimed.
A totally non-metallic wrench formed entirely of fiber-reinforced plastic material includes a core of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material extending around the periphery of the core which are subjected to compression molding to form a composite wrench structure.
An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peel strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft. In an alternative form, the layer of fiber comprising the thermoplastic resin may be pre-cured and used as a shell during the curing process. Bladder molding is preferred in such embodiments.
An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peet strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft.
A method of carbonizing cellulose-containing plants is disclosed. Wood is used as a precursor material which is carbonized under controlled temperature and atmosphere conditions to produce a porous carbon product having substantially the same cellular structure as the precursor wood. The porous carbonized wood may be used for various applications such as filters, or may be further processed to form carbon-polymer or carbon--carbon composites. The carbonized wood may also be converted to a ceramic such as silicon carbide. Additional processing may be used to form ceramic-metal or ceramic--ceramic composites.
A method of carbonizing cellulose-containing plants is disclosed. Wood is used as a precursor material which is carbonized under controlled temperature and atmosphere conditions to produce a porous carbon product having substantially the same cellular structure as the precursor wood. The porous carbonized wood may be used for various applications such as filters, or may be further processed to form carbon-polymer or carbon--carbon composites. The carbonized wood may also be converted to a ceramic such as silicon carbide. Additional processing may be used to form ceramic-metal or ceramic--ceramic composites.
