Composite laminate and method of producing a composite laminate

Abstract

The present invention provides a composite material including a substrate layer, a knit porous layer intermixed within the substrate material, and a thermoplastic layer disposed upon the porous layer. The porous layer is at least partially disposed within the thermoplastic layer. The present invention also provides a method for forming the composite material including the steps of: providing a substrate layer, providing a porous layer disposed on the substrate layer, providing a thermoplastic layer disposed on the porous layer, applying pressure and vacuum to mechanically interlock the thermoplastic layer with the porous layer; and bonding the porous layer to the substrate layer.

1 . A composite material applicable to form a structure, the composite comprising:
 a knit porous layer partially disposed within said substrate material forming a mechanical bond therebetween; and   a UHMWPE thermoplastic layer having an average thickness of greater than 1.0 mm and less than about 10.0 mm which is in contact with said porous layer;   wherein said UHMWPE thermoplastic layer penetrates only a portion of said porous layer.   
     
     
         2 . The composite of  claim 1  whereby upon joining said layers said knit porous layer becomes at least partially embedded in said UHMWPE thermoplastic. 
     
     
         3 . The composite of  claim 1  further comprising a substrate including a layer formed from a thermoset material. 
     
     
         4 . The composite of  claim 3  wherein said substrate layer formed from a thermoset material is selected from the group consisting of reinforced epoxy composite, carbon reinforced epoxy composite, glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite, synthetic fiber reinforced epoxy composite, and woven fabric fiber reinforced epoxy composite. 
     
     
         5 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said knit porous layer comprises glass yarn having a weight between about 50 and about 75 grams per 1000 meters. 
     
     
         6 . The composite of  claim 5  wherein said knit porous layer comprises glass yarn having a weight of about 68 grams per 1000 meters. 
     
     
         7 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a yarn knit into one of an altas knit, tricot knit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composite of  claim 7  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a knit material having a stitch length between 0.8 and 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a glass yarn having a size finish. 
     
     
         10 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said knit porous layer defines pores of a predetermined size. 
     
     
         11 . The composite of  claim 1  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a loft knit structure. 
     
     
         12 . A composite material comprising:
 a substrate including a layer formed from a material;   a knit porous layer partially disposed within said substrate layer forming a mechanical bond therebetween; and   a UHMWPE layer having an average thickness of greater than 1.0 mm and less than about 10.0 mm disposed upon said porous layer, wherein said porous layer is at least partially disposed within said UHMWPE layer and said UHMWPE layer is directly bonded to the substrate layer formed from a non-UHMWPE material through said knit porous layer.   
     
     
         13 . The composite of  claim 12  whereby upon joining said layers said knit porous layer is more than 50% embedded in said UHMWPE. 
     
     
         14 . The composite material of  claim 12  wherein said substrate layer is selected from the group consisting essentially of reinforced epoxy composite, metal, carbon reinforced epoxy composite, glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite, synthetic fiber reinforced epoxy composite, and woven fabric fiber reinforced epoxy composite. 
     
     
         15 . The composite material of  claim 12  further comprising a pair of depending sidewalls, said UHMWPE layer disposed on said sidewalls. 
     
     
         16 . The composite material of  claim 12  wherein said composite material defines a vibratory pan. 
     
     
         17 . The composite of  claim 12  wherein said knit porous layer comprises glass yarn having a weight between about 50 and about 75 grams per 1000 meters. 
     
     
         18 . The composite of  claim 17  wherein said knit porous layer comprises glass yarn having a weight of about 68 grams per 1000 meters. 
     
     
         19 . The composite of  claim 12  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a yard knit into one of an altas knit, tricot knit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composite of  claim 19  wherein said knit porous layer comprises a knit material having a stitch length between about 0.8 and about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         21 - 34 . (canceled)