Composite articles having fibers with longitudinally-varying geometry

摘要

A composite article may include a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix. Each one of the fibers has a fiber length and a fiber geometry. The fiber geometry of at least a portion of the fibers may vary along the fiber length.

主权项

1. A composite article, comprising:
a matrix; a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix; each one of the fibers having a fiber length, a longitudinal axis, and a fiber geometry; at any point along the fiber length, the fiber having material on both sides of the longitudinal axis; the fiber geometry varying along the fiber length in a manner such that at least a portion of the fiber includes first portions and second portions comprising changes in cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis and/or changes in cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal axis; and the plurality of fibers being arranged such that the second portions of one of the fibers are at least partially nested, or are configured to be nested in response to a force causing the fibers to move closer together, with the first portions of an adjacent one of the fibers in a same layer and/or in an adjacent layer.