Claims
- 1. A multi-layer preform for use in a matrix composite, said preform comprising:
- (1) two or more layers of reinforcing substrate; and
- (2) 0.25 to 15 weight percent, based upon the weight of the substrate, of a partially cured thermoplastic-like tackifier in contact with said substrate, said tackifier containing either:
- (a) a single self-curing resin at least partially cured; or
- (b) a mixture of a resin and a hardener, said mixture at least partially cured, said tackifier adhered to the substrate and adhering the substrates together and said tackifier adapted to co-react with a matrix resin which comes in contact with said preform, to form a cured product.
- 2. The preform of claim 1 wherein the tackifier is a resin that cures without the need for a separate curing agent.
- 3. The preform of claim 2 wherein the tackifier is a bismaleimide resin.
- 4. The preform of claim 1 wherein the tackifier contains a curable resin and a hardener.
- 5. The preform of claim 4 wherein the curable resin in the tackifier is an epoxy resin and the hardener in the tackifier is a curing agent for epoxy resins.
- 6. The preform of claim 4 wherein the tackifier further contains a catalyst for the reaction between the curable resin and the hardener.
- 7. The preform of claim 4 wherein the tackifier contains a stoichiometric excess of curable resin.
- 8. The preform of claim 1 wherein the partially cured tackifier in the preform has a glass-transition temperature between about 30.degree. C. and 180.degree. C.
- 9. The preform of claim 1 which contains at least about 1 weight percent tackifier, based upon the weight of the substrate.
- 10. The preform of claim 9 which contains no more than about 8 weight percent tackifier, based upon the weight of the substrate.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/402,637, filed Mar. 13, 1995, now abandoned, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/059,153 filed May 7, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,725.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
53-143665 |
Dec 1978 |
JPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
59153 |
May 1993 |
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Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
402673 |
Mar 1995 |
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