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Abstract

A multiple laminate comprises at least one laminate which is tapered at one or both ends to provide a laminate joint structure having a coupling tensile strength greater than the laminate interlaminar shear strength. The laminate joint structure contains at least one tapered laminate ply support structure containing continuous filament strands oriented parallel to the coupling load direction. The tubular laminate form of the tapered end laminate joint structure finds particular application to mechanically joined structures such as pipe and trusses. The method and apparatus for making the laminate in the form of a desired composite structure comprises winding a first ply of circumferentially oriented continuous filament strands upon a mandrel and forming the ends of the first ply to have sufficient thickness to provide an inwardly tapered conical shaped exterior surface. A second ply containing continuous filament strands oriented parallel to the axis of the cylindrical forming structure is placed upon the first ply surface to form the ends of the second ply laminate into a tapard outward flaring conical configuration. A third ply of continuous filament strands is circumferentially wound upon the second ply strands to tension and secure the second ply filament strands and form at each end a flanged configuration suitable for mechanically connecting the laminate to other structures. The filament strands of each laminate ply are thoroughly impregnated with a liquid matrix which subsequently hardens to bond and maintain the filament reinforcements in the desired laminate configuration.

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First Claim