Patent ID: 7318873

Claim:
A method of forming a reinforced member, comprising: providing at least two portions of matrix material; positioning at least one portion of strengthening material between the at least two portions of matrix material thereby forming a reinforcement material, the strengthening material being woven glass fibers and the woven glass fibers directly contacting the at least two portions of matrix material, the reinforcement material having a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness extending through the at least two portions of matrix material and through the at least one portion of strengthening material, the thickness being less than 30 millimeters; providing a frame member of an automotive vehicle having a first wall with a first inner surface opposing a second inner surface of a second wall, the first and second surfaces at least partially defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity having a distance that extends from the first surface to the second surface, the distance being less than 30 millimeters; locating the reinforcement material within the cavity of the frame member, the reinforcement material being between the first wall and the second wall such that the thickness is substantially parallel to the distance; and activating the reinforcement material to expand and adhere the reinforcement material to the first surface and the second surface without filling a cross-section of the cavity between the first surface and the second surface.