Composite matrix with oriented whiskers

摘要

A composite material manufacturing process and resulting structure is provided to include high strength material whiskers (20) having a characteristic orientation when placed in an electromagnetic field (22). In one embodiment, whiskers (20) are disposed between lamina (10 and 15) and oriented generally perpendicular to the fiber layers (14 and 18). The whisker (20) orientation is maintained during a curing cycle for the respective matrices (12 and 16) wherein the matrix viscosity allows the whiskers (20) to orient in response to the applied electromagnetic field (22). The whiskers (20) retain their orientation in the resulting laminate to provide improved structural integrity for the laminate.