Patent ID: 6079351
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,C08J,D03D,D10B,G01N

Abstract:
A composite containing a matrix material of a thermosetting plastic and a reinforcement layer, the reinforcement layer having a plurality of elongated reinforcing fibers, wherein said reinforcing fibers do not become translucent when wetted by said matrix material, said reinforcing fibers including at least a first series of fibers and a second series of fibers, said reinforcing fibers of said first series of fibers being generally aligned in a first direction, said reinforcing fibers of said second series of fibers being generally aligned in a second direction different from said first direction so that said first series of fibers crosses said second series of fibers, wherein the improvement comprises:a plurality of indicating fibers, at least one of said indicating fibers being generally aligned and substantially planar with said reinforcing fibers of at least one of said first and second series of fibers, said indicating fibers becoming translucent when wetted by the matrix material, said indicating fibers being present in such small quantity that the properties of the composite are not significantly different from the properties of a composite containing only reinforcing fibers.