Dry Process for Making Polyimide/Carbon-and-Boron-Fiber Tape

A dry process has been invented as an improved means of manufacturing composite prepreg tapes that consist of high- temperature thermoplastic polyimide resin matrices reinforced with carbon and boron fibers. Such tapes are used (especially in the aircraft industry) to fabricate strong, lightweight composite- material structural components. The inclusion of boron fibers results in compression strengths greater than can be achieved by use of carbon fibers alone.