Patent ID: 8732977
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: B64C,C08K,C08L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a structural component from a moisture absorbing material, comprising: determining a moisture content and a distribution of the moisture absorbing material according to a desired increase in toughness of the moisture absorbing material; manufacturing the structural component from two or more plies of the moisture absorbable material, the toughness of which increases with increasing moisture absorption; and subsequently conditioning, in a conditioning chamber, the structural component to at least one of elevated temperature and humidity for a period of time sufficient to introduce a known and predetermined level of moisture to one or more outer plies of the structural component whereby the structural component attains the predetermined moisture content and distribution, wherein the predetermined moisture distribution comprises an inner portion of the structural component that is moisture free and an outer portion extending from the inner portion to a surface of the structural component, the outer portion having a moisture content that increases from a minimum adjacent to the inner portion to a maximum at the surface of the structural component; and when the predetermined moisture content and distribution is attained the structural component is removed from the conditioning chamber.