Patent ID: 8696965
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: B29C,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a fiber-reinforced composite structure, the method comprising: providing a plurality of perforated prepregs comprising fibers lying in a plane, each of said prepregs being at least partially impregnated with a matrix resin, wherein perforations of said perforated prepregs extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of said fibers, and wherein at least some of the perforations extend through the entire thickness of the perforated prepregs; forming a prepreg layup by laying up the plurality of perforated prepregs; consolidating the prepreg layup by applying at least one of heat, external pressure, and vacuum to the prepreg layup so that the matrix resin flows to fill said perforations and to fill other void spaces within and between said prepregs; and curing the consolidated prepreg layup.