Method for making a fiber reinforced composite article and product

This invention relates to a fiber reinforced composite article and its manufacture. More particularly, it relates to a fiber reinforced composite article such as a composite blading member including an airfoil, the article including generally transverse or angled reinforcing members. A fiber reinforced composite article is made by providing a plurality of layers of first, substantially dry, unimpregnated reinforcing fibers, sometimes called in-plane fibers. Such layers are stacked into a preform of a stack of layers. While in the dry, unimpregnated condition, a plurality of spaced apart second reinforcing members are inserted into the preform at an angle, for example transversely, to the stack of layers. In this condition, the preform is impregnated with a matrix about the first reinforcing fibers and the second reinforcing members. The article product comprises the plurality of stacked layers of the first reinforcing fibers and the plurality of the spaced apart second reinforcing members disposed beside or adjacent the first reinforcing fibers, with a substantially solid matrix disposed about the reinforcing fibers and members.