Patent ID: 6651011
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: E04C,Y10T

Abstract:
A shaped article at least part of which is constituted by a composite structure comprising a matrix and a plurality of reinforcement components in intimate contact with and wholly or partly embedded in the matrix, such reinforcement components having an at least 1.5 times higher tensile strength than the matrix,the reinforcement components being (i) plate-shaped components having thicknesses of at least 60 mm which are orientated with their planes substantially parallel to each other, such that the minimum volume per cent concentration (&phgr;) of the plate-shaped components in the composite structure is dependent on the tensile strength (&sgr;b) of the plate-shaped components in a direction in the plane of the plate-shaped components in accordance with the following table 2000 or&sgr;a MPa30050070010001500more&phgr; %864321.5intermediate values for the minimum volume percentage of the plate-shaped components being being calculatable by linear interpolation where both the tensile strength and the volume concentration are depicted in logarithmic scale, and/or (ii) elongated components with a transverse dimension of at least 60 mm, such that the minimum requirements with respect to volume concentration of the elongated reinforcement components (&phgr;), tensile strength of the elongated reinforcement components (&sgr;a), compressive strength of the matrix (&sgr;c), and modulus of elasticity of the matrix (E) are adapted in accordance with the minimum transverse dimension (d) of the elongated reinforcement components in accordance with the following table: 3000 ord (mm)601002506001200more&phgr; (vol %)1.81.51.00.70.50.3&sgr;a (MPa)1901801501007550&sgr;c (MPa)555040302015E (GPa)403025201510intermediate values for the minimum requirements for each of the properties being calculatable by linear interpolation where both the transverse dimension (d) and the value for the property in question are depicted in logarithmic scale, the reinforcement components, whether plate shaped or elongated, being constituted by monolithic components and/or being built up of discrete subcomponents, the subcomponents being in intimate contact with each other, and/or spaced from each other and embedded in a solid embedment, the geometry of any reinforcement element which is built up of discrete subcomponents being defined by the envelope of the reinforcement component.