US 12,145,329 B2
Fiber reinforced composite materials, articles and related methods
Gregory S. Mitsch, Woodbury, MN (US); Richard Lindmark, Anoka, MN (US); and Roger Worm, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to GaMra Composites, Inc., Hudson, WI (US)
Filed by GaMra Composites, Inc., Hudson, WI (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/673,751.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/150,470, filed on Feb. 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0258440 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 70/00 (2006.01); B29C 70/16 (2006.01); B29C 70/52 (2006.01); F16L 11/08 (2006.01); B29K 23/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/24 (2006.01); B29L 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 70/52 (2013.01) [B29C 70/16 (2013.01); F16L 11/083 (2013.01); B29K 2023/16 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0094 (2013.01); B29K 2105/24 (2013.01); B29K 2995/0039 (2013.01); B29L 2023/005 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber-reinforced composite material comprising:
at least one reinforcement layer comprising a plurality of reinforcement fibers and having upper and lower surfaces, the plurality of reinforcement fibers defining a plurality of air voids, each air void proximately located between adjacent reinforcement fibers; and
at least one binder-resin having a melt viscosity less than about 20,000 centipoise at 176° C.;
wherein the at least one binder-resin is adhered to the plurality of reinforcement fibers at an interface of at least one of the plurality of reinforcement fibers and the binder-resin and has displaced at least a portion of an air void between adjacent reinforcement fibers, and
wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the at least one reinforcement layer are wetted with the at least one binder-resin, and wherein at least some of said air voids exist in the fiber-reinforced composite material.