Fiber reinforced article capable of revealing damage due to surface impacts and method of making same
US4917938A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/30
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A structure and a method of producing such structure which includes a fiber reinforced composite article in which the surface of the article will generate a visible indication thereon upon impact of the surface by another object. The method comprises laying up multiple layers of a first material into the shape of the desired composite article. A relatively thin layer of a second filamentary material is then layed up on and bonded to the surface of the base structure formed by the layers of the first material. The second filamentary material forms a thin outer layer on the composite article, and upon impact of the outer layer with another object, the outer layer delaminates and forms a discoloration in the form of a whitened patch or spot in the immediate vicinity of the impact. The articles so produced can be visually inspected for damage, and only those articles showing a surface discoloration need be subjected to nondestructive testing. Further, only the portion of the article in the vicinity of the discoloration need to tested.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.