Composite material reinforced by springlike metal structure

Abstract

A composite material ( 16 ) comprising a polymer ( 17 ) as matrix and a metal structure ( 10 ) as a reinforcing element, characterized in that said metal structure ( 10 ) comprises two metal springs ( 12, 14 ), said springs ( 12, 14 ) being wound in opposite directions, said springs having coil parts which alternate with each other along the length of the metal structure, said springs being rolled so as to form a flat shape.

1 . A composite material comprising a polymer as matrix and a metal structure as a reinforcing element, characterized in that said metal structure comprises two metal springs, said springs being wound in opposite directions, said springs having coil parts which alternate with each other along the length of the metal structure, said springs being rolled so as to form a flat shape.  
     
     
         2 . A composite material according to  claim 1  wherein said polymer is a thermoplastic material.  
     
     
         3 . A composite material according to  claim 2  wherein said thermoplastic material is polyvinylchloride.  
     
     
         4 . A composite material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said composite material has the form of a strip.  
     
     
         5 . A composite material according to any one of  claims 1  to  3  wherein said composite material has the form of a sheet.  
     
     
         6 . A fabric comprising a warp and a weft which form meshes, said meshes having a maximum dimension ranging from 5 cm to 25 cm, at least one of the warp or the weft being formed by a strip according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         7 . A canvass or a sail cloth, said canvass or sail cloth at least partially reinforced by a composite material according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 .