STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF HIGH STRENGTH, HIGH STIFFNESS, CURVED COMPOSITE MEMBER

摘要

The invention provides a tubular composite member (10) which has a plurality of plies and a generally elongate and selectively curved axis (20). The plies can include helically oriented fiber components, a matrix material, and thermoplastic tubes. An intermediate layer preferably has two tri-axially braided plies (24, 24') arranged at selective angles relative to the member's axis (20), and as a function of the curvature of the member. Interior and exterior plies (22, 26) of circumferential windings can be part of the member such that the intermediate ply is contiguous and between the interior and exterior ply. In one practice, the member can be formed into a selective shape and then cured. Alternatively, the member is formed between a thermoplastic core and a thermoplastic sheath to facilitate a secondary process of heating and bending the member into a selective axially-curved shape.