FRP MEMBERS, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME

The present invention relates to FRP members, the apparatus and process for making same. The FRP members are reinforced with helical strands of reinforcing material disposed in expanded helices of opposite hand, the helices of each hand being contained in discrete layers. The lead angle of each helix may be constant or varied along the length of the member independently of whether the member is cylindrical or tapered in order to provide the desired structural characteristics. The process comprises impregnating the reinforcing strands with resin and wrapping those strands onto a mandrel by apparatus in which relative rotational as well as relative translatory movement between the mandrel and a winding head may be effected to wrap the strands onto the mandrel. At least one relative movement may be selectively varied to effect the desired lead angle to the helically disposed reinforcing strands along the length of the mandrel.