Patent ID: 8703630
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: B32B,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thermoplastic toughening element for resin infusion manufacturing of composite consisting of a layer of a plurality of resin-soluble thermoplastic fibers randomly oriented and adhered to one another into a veil consisting of the resin soluble thermoplastic fibers with an areal weight of about 5 to about 80 gsm wherein the toughening element is interposed between and in direct contact with adjacent plies consisting of a structural reinforcement fiber wherein the resin-soluble thermoplastic fibers are in a solid phase and undergo at least partial phase transition to a fluid phase on contact with a curable resin matrix in which the thermoplastic fibers are soluble at a first temperature for substantial dissolution, which is less than a second temperature for substantial onset of curing of the curable resin matrix, and wherein the concentration of toughening element is highest in the resin matrix between the adjacent plies and decreases in concentration as the matrix approaches the plies.