THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE TENSION MEMBER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OF THE LATTER

摘要

Shaped terminations for composite tension members, as well as methods for creating such shaped terminations. A shaped termination (5) is consolidated into a solid mass that is substantially uniform in structure. Heat and pressure are used to shape and fuse the carbon fiber composite into geometries having favorable loading characteristics. This durably fixes the components of the tension member (2) into an optimized arrangement for the intended loading configuration such that unequal stresses are minimized. Terminal geometry can be formed by re-forming existing material, or by adding additional material, which can comprise a thermoplastic composite material or other epoxy/resin composite, metal, tow, tape, mat, or other fibers, to the inside or outside of the tension member. The terminal may be machined and/or thermoformed before and/or after the addition of material.