Patent ID: 6500370
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B29B,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing a boron-fiber reinforced composite tape, comprising steps for:(a) dispensing at least one array of boron fibers; (b) applying a plurality of fiber tow bundles, said fiber tow bundles being pre-impregnated with a polymeric matrix, along at least one side of at the at least one dispensed array of boron fibers; (c) heating the at least one dispensed array of boron fibers and the applied plurality of fiber tow bundles to a specific processing temperature which melts the polymeric matrix of the fiber tow bundles; (d) wetting-out the heated at least one array of boron fibers and plurality of fiber tow bundles into an intial consolidated flat shape, wherein the heated at least one array of boron fibers are encapsulated within the plurality of fiber tow bundles so as to become a boron-reinforced composite tape; (e) re-shaping the consolidated flat boron-reinforced composite tape into a pre-determined width; and (f) spooling the consolidated, boron-reinforced composite tape.