Hybrid fiber forming processes

Figure 32 Hierarchically structured composite fibers formed by a hybrid process, combining self-assembly of polymer-peptide nanotapes with peptide-directed silicification. ( Organic hierarchy levels are classified as peptide-polymer conjugate (level I), nanotapes with single p-sheet core (level II) and double p-sheet core (level III). Composite hierarchy levels are specified as proto-composite tapes (level IV), proto-composite fibers (level V), and fiber bundles (level VI).) Adapted from Kessel, S. Thomas, A. Borner, H. G. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 9023 and Kessel, S. Bomer, H. G. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2008,29,419. Reprinted with permission from Bomer, H. G. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2009,34,811. Copyright 2009, Elsevier. ...

Fiber placement is basically a hybrid of filament winding and tape laying and is a continuous process for fabricating composite shapes, by laying thermoset or thermoplastic preimpregnated tows (in tow or slit tape form) onto a mandrel or tool having concave or convex surfaces. There is no limit to the fiber angle and tows can be added or removed as and when necessary. 

A reinforced structure of thermoplastics, named as the in situ hybrid composite, consists of three components in principle macroscopic fibers such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber microscopic LCP fibrils and a matrix resin [157]. Macroscopic fibers are in their fibrous form before the fabrication of the reinforced composite, while LCP fibrils are generated in situ during the melt processing of the ternary composite. 

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