Stiff structures moulded with tubular and cellular cores - for skis, wings etc. of high specific stiffness

摘要

Elongated structures having inconstant cross-section or surface profiles and a high specific stiffness (stiffness/wt. ratio) are made by lining a mould with suitable covers and then filling the lined mould cavity with a combination of one or more hollow inflatable tubes and injection of a foam material to fill all the spaces between the tube(s) and the interior of the mould. Process is suitable for mfr. of e.g. skis, glider wings or similar structures. The composite structure has a high strength/wt. ratio than similar structures filled with either an inflatable tube or a cellular material alone.