| abstract |
A coloured finish composite is applied to a structural composite core and cured as a single article resulting in a composite material having structural integrity and a coloured finish. The laminate comprises a layer 10 of a composite material, preferably a prepreg with carbon fibres; adjacent to this composite material layer there is a fibrous layer 12, which may be adhered to the composite using a bonding layer 11. Adjacent to the fibrous layer 12, there is a coloured translucent layer 13, which may be a thermoplastic and which may be followed by a lacquer 14. Optionally, further layers 12 & 13 are added to the uncovered face of the composite layer 10 yielding in an ABCBA layer arrangement. Preferably, the curing step is performed at 65 80 ºC for 4 10 h with a matrix material of the composite sheet material being a low temperature material. The fibrous material of layer 12 may comprise white or silver glass fibres woven in a 2/2 pattern. |